CAPITAL COSTS AND TOTAL CARBON FOOT PRINT IN OPEN CAST MINING
Focus Area
Climate Change
Subcommittee
All
Status
Archived
Cost
Under $99k
Timeframe
1-2 years
Research Idea Scope
.1 To minimize the capital costs of an open caste mine by direct method of project appraisal techniques against the target levels of production (MT/annum) and Manpower (000’s). For e.g., this will identify core and critical equipment’s which are directly owned by the mining entity against sub critical or non-essential supplementary and irregularly used equipment which could be procured on need basis and lease rental basis.
2. to minimize the COX, NOX and SOX emitted from mechanized fleets by including sub-activities of power consumption, petroleum consumption, blasting, excavation, haulage, siding, drainage, liquid waste, etc).
3. Develop our understanding of the ratio of GHG/capital costs and GHG/operating costs, with the assumption of zero GHG emissions when operating costs are zero. The mine manager has the option to choose the average production levels to control emissions so long as the environmental standards around the mine area, are maintained.
Urgency and Payoff
Capital cost of an open cast mines is determined based on many irreversible geological factors e.g, topography, ore grade, degree of mechanization, etc. Many equipment are procured by the mines during project initiation. However midway into the life of the mines, half from the original list may remain untouched. Mining industry is constantly in search of rapid capacity expansion, increased productivity, digital technology adoption and reduced costs. Besides the economics the new dimension of development focuses on automation and cleaner mining system. For faster rate of production, mechanization at high degree is imperative with impact on total GHG. This study will collect field data on mining equipment and suggest a deployment mix based on their GHG potential.
Submitted
05/23/2021