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Process Data set: Mining of Rare Earth Elements (REE)s;Rare Earth Elements (REE);bastnaesite route;Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore (en) en zh

Key Data Set Information
Location NMG-CN
Reference year 2014
Name
Mining of Rare Earth Elements (REE)s;Rare Earth Elements (REE);bastnaesite route;Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore
Use advice for data set When utilizing this LCA data set, it is important to consider the differences in mineralogy and processing routes as they may affect comparability. Attention should also be given to radioactivity flows, waste treatment, and the presence of co-products in addition to REE which are inherent in co-mining activities. The functional unit for comparison is the production of 1 kg of REO (Rare Earth Oxides) basket from each specific mineralogical and processing route. Methodological consistency must be maintained across assessments for accurate comparisons and decision making.
Technical purpose of product or process The REE (Rare Earth Element) production process analyzed in this study, including mining and solvent extraction with finishing processes such as precipitation and calcination, is intended for the production of REE-containing compounds applicable in various high-tech industries like electronics, clean energy, and aerospace engineering.
Classification
Class name : Hierarchy level
  • ILCD: Unit processes / Materials production / Non-energetic raw materials
General comment on data set The REE (Rare Earth Element) production process analyzed in this study, including mining and solvent extraction with finishing processes such as precipitation and calcination, is intended for the production of REE-containing compounds applicable in various high-tech industries like electronics, clean energy, and aerospace engineering.
Copyright No
Owner of data set
Quantitative reference
Reference flow(s)
Functional Unit The functional unit of this study is the production of 1 kg of the basket REO from each corresponding mineralogical and processing route.
Technological representativeness
Technology description including background system In this study, the REE production system was analyzed from mining up to and including solvent extraction which contains product finishing processes such as precipitation and calcination
Flow diagram(s) or picture(s)
  • KkPTbSaoeomImdxTMrXclfbJnPg.png Image
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 study, the REE production system was analyzed from mining up to and including solvent extraction which contains product finishing processes such as precipitation and calcination (Fig. 1). The other categories assessed in the literature review were mineral type, radioactivity, waste treatment, and co-mining. For mineral type, it was noted that the mineralogy accounted for in each study was different, which makes comparison difficult. For radioactivity, we marked with an X those studies which exemplified radioactivity flows in the LCI (if provided). For waste, we distinguished those LCIs which quantified waste treatment flows. For co-mining, since all REE are co-products of each other, this column is meant to highlight the co-products in addition to REE.
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 b9c347a3-ba33-4543-9b49-d873fe26fefc
Date of last revision 2024-04-20T15:07:24.835274+08:00
Data set version 00.01.005
Permanent data set URI https://lcadata.tiangong.world/showProcess.xhtml?uuid=b9c347a3-ba33-4543-9b49-d873fe26fefc&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 / Crude oil based fuels 1.25 kg1.25 kg
Elementary flow Land use / Land transformation 2.13E-6 m22.13E-6 m2
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
Land use / Land transformation 2.13E-6 m22.13E-6 m2
General comment To mineral extraction site
Product flow
Materials production / Inorganic chemicals 0.3 kg0.3 kg
General comment Iron ore
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

Outputs

Type of flow Classification Flow Location Mean amount Resulting amount Minimum amount Maximum amount
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to air / Emissions to air, unspecified 0.00513 MJ0.00513 MJ
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to air / Emissions to lower stratosphere and upper troposphere 1.44E-4 kg1.44E-4 kg
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to air / Emissions to air, unspecified 0.00144 kg0.00144 kg
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to air / Emissions to air, unspecified 0.0013 kg0.0013 kg
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to air / Emissions to air, unspecified 1.34E-4 kBq1.34E-4 kBq
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to water / Emissions to water, unspecified 0.01 kBq0.01 kBq
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to air / Emissions to air, unspecified 0.0506 kBq0.0506 kBq
Product flow
Materials production / Inorganic chemicals 1.0 kg1.0 kg
General comment Raw ore