Towards Sustainable Minerals for Energy Transition: LCA Insights from an Open-Pit Molybdenum–Copper Mine

Wei Xia, Yanyan Geng, Chunlei Zhao, Ming Tao and Xianpeng Qiu ()
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Wei Xia: Yichun Luming Mining Co., Ltd., Yichun 153099, China
Yanyan Geng: Yichun Luming Mining Co., Ltd., Yichun 153099, China
Chunlei Zhao: Yichun Luming Mining Co., Ltd., Yichun 153099, China
Ming Tao: School of Resource and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Xianpeng Qiu: School of Resource and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: China is the world’s leading producer of molybdenum–copper concentrates, an industry noted for its high energy demand and considerable environmental burdens. This study applies a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment to the production of molybdenum–copper concentrate in the Lesser Khingan Mountains, utilizing the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint method coupled with Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis. The results indicate that human carcinogenic toxicity represents the greatest environmental risk, followed by marine and freshwater ecotoxicity. Contribution analysis reveals that the grinding stage is the dominant impact driver—particularly due to hexavalent chromium emissions—affecting carcinogenic risk, climate change potential, and fossil resource depletion. Scenario testing demonstrates that upgrading grinding technology, enhancing electricity efficiency, and substituting conventional energy with renewable sources can markedly mitigate these impacts. However, because of implementation barriers, such as high capital costs, retrofit downtime, and uncertainties in the supply chain, a pilot phase is necessary before deployment at full scale. Quantitatively, the production of one tonne of molybdenum–copper concentrate corresponds to 0.05 DALYs of human health damage, 1.11 × 10 −4 species.year of ecological loss, and USD 3488.82 of resource depletion. These results provide constructive references for the sustainable development of the mining industry and contribute to achieving China’s dual carbon targets through energy transformation and low-carbon technological innovation.

Keywords: life cycle assessment; grinding process; energy transition; environmental impact; green mines; emissions reduction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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