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Process Data set: Mining of Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore, baseline;Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore (en) en zh

Key Data Set Information
Location NMG-CN
Reference year 2012
Name
Mining of Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore, baseline;Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore
Use advice for data set When using the dataset related to the mining of REE containing ore, ensure that your life cycle assessment considers the specific environmental impacts associated with surface mining techniques, such as drilling and blasting. Account for the high ore grade of 4.1% REO in resource depletion calculations, and apply the dataset consistently for products that require rare earth elements. Pay attention to technological shifts that might alter the process efficiency or environmental impact. Review the detailed LCI, assumptions, and allocation choices in the supporting information of the data set to ensure data quality and representativeness.
Technical purpose of product or process This mining process for rare earth element (REE) containing ore is used primarily to extract raw materials necessary for the production of rare earth elements. These elements are critical in manufacturing high-tech devices, electronics, clean energy technologies, advanced aerospace components, and specialized magnets such as those used in NdFeB (Neodymium-Iron-Boron) magnets.
Classification
Class name : Hierarchy level
  • ILCD: Unit processes / Materials production / Non-energetic raw materials
General comment on data set This mining process for rare earth element (REE) containing ore is used primarily to extract raw materials necessary for the production of rare earth elements. These elements are critical in manufacturing high-tech devices, electronics, clean energy technologies, advanced aerospace components, and specialized magnets such as those used in NdFeB (Neodymium-Iron-Boron) magnets.
Copyright No
Owner of data set
Quantitative reference
Reference flow(s)
Functional Unit Not Mentationed
Technological representativeness
Technology description including background system Ore is recovered from the open pit mine using conventional surface mining techniques such as drilling and blasting. The mine contains 750 million tons of ore at 4.1% REO
LCI method and allocation
Type of data set Unit process, single operation
LCI Method Principle Attributional
Deviation from LCI method principle / explanations None
Deviations from LCI method approaches / explanations In this section, we discuss the life cycle inventory (LCI) in detail. Each subsection discusses one process of the LCA. Section 3.1 describes the conventional method of rare earths in China from mineral sources. Section 3.2 describes the production process used to transform neodymium oxide into an NdFeB magnet. Finally, section 3.3 describes two alternative recycling processes that could be used. Detailed information on the LCI, assumptions, and allocation choices can be found in the Supporting Information.
Deviation from modelling constants / explanations None
Data sources, treatment and representativeness
Deviation from data cut-off and completeness principles / explanations None
Deviation from data selection and combination principles / explanations None
Deviation from data treatment and extrapolations principles / explanations None
Data source(s) used for this data set
Completeness
Completeness of product model No statement
Validation
Type of review
Dependent internal review
Reviewer name and institution
Data generator
Data set generator / modeller
Data entry by
Time stamp (last saved) 2023-12-24T16:06:40+08:00
Publication and ownership
UUID 7b497c8c-e1cb-4f8d-9862-a348b761be84
Date of last revision 2024-04-20T15:07:22.067781+08:00
Data set version 00.01.005
Permanent data set URI https://lcadata.tiangong.world/showProcess.xhtml?uuid=7b497c8c-e1cb-4f8d-9862-a348b761be84&version=01.00.000&stock=TianGong
Owner of data set
Copyright No
License type Free of charge for all users and uses

Inputs

Type of flow Classification Flow Location Mean amount Resulting amount Minimum amount Maximum amount
Product flow Energy carriers and technologies / Electricity 16.2 MJ16.2 MJ
Product flow
Materials production / Inorganic chemicals 1.7E-6 kg1.7E-6 kg
General comment recultivation, iron mine
Product flow
Systems / Unspecific parts 5.0E-4 kg5.0E-4 kg
General comment blasting
Product flow Materials production / Organic chemicals 1.25 kg1.25 kg

Outputs

Type of flow Classification Flow Location Mean amount Resulting amount Minimum amount Maximum amount
Product flow
Materials production / Raw materials 1.0 kg1.0 kg
General comment LANGUAGE
Product flow Materials production / Other mineralic materials 0.0034 kg0.0034 kg
Elementary flow Land use / Land occupation 1.2E-4 m2*a1.2E-4 m2*a
Elementary flow Resources / Resources from ground / Non-renewable element resources from ground 0.3 kg0.3 kg
Elementary flow Resources / Resources from ground / Non-renewable element resources from ground 0.0164 kg0.0164 kg
Elementary flow Resources / Resources from ground / Non-renewable element resources from ground 0.00984 kg0.00984 kg
Elementary flow Resources / Resources from ground / Non-renewable element resources from ground 0.00541 kg0.00541 kg
Elementary flow Resources / Resources from ground / Non-renewable element resources from ground 0.00172 kg0.00172 kg
Elementary flow Resources / Resources from ground / Non-renewable element resources from ground 8.14E-5 kg8.14E-5 kg
Elementary flow Resources / Resources from ground / Non-renewable element resources from ground 4.1E-4 kg4.1E-4 kg
Elementary flow Resources / Resources from ground / Non-renewable element resources from ground 2.06E-4 kg2.06E-4 kg
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to air / Emissions to air, unspecified 0.00513 MJ0.00513 MJ
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to air / Emissions to air, unspecified 0.01 kBq0.01 kBq
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to air / Emissions to air, unspecified 0.0506 kBq0.0506 kBq