Process information
| Key Data Set Information | |
| Location | NMG-CN |
| Geographical representativeness description | Bayan Obo (China) |
| Reference year | 2014 |
| Name |
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| Use advice for data set | When utilizing this data for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), take care to apply the preferred allocation method based on market-value for partitioning the environmental impacts among the different types of REOs, as per the metals industry's customary practices. The results reported should be carefully considered in light of Chinese-specific life cycle data when available to give a more accurate representation of the impacts. In absence of local data, refer to European life cycle inventory (LCI) databases. The lifecycle scope is cradle-to-gate with the functional unit set as 1 kg of REO. The results for both market and exergetic-based allocation are available and should be consulted according to the specific context of the assessment. |
| Technical purpose of product or process | The data set describes the process chain of Rare Earth Oxide (REO) production for the purpose of obtaining various REOs utilized in a wide range of high-tech industries. These industries may include electronics, where REOs contribute to the fabrication of devices like smartphones, computers, high strength magnets, batteries, and advanced optics. The REO processed at the Bayan Obo mine is used in manufacturing processes where monazite and bastnasite are key materials for refining rare earth elements. |
| Classification |
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| General comment on data set | The data set describes the process chain of Rare Earth Oxide (REO) production for the purpose of obtaining various REOs utilized in a wide range of high-tech industries. These industries may include electronics, where REOs contribute to the fabrication of devices like smartphones, computers, high strength magnets, batteries, and advanced optics. The REO processed at the Bayan Obo mine is used in manufacturing processes where monazite and bastnasite are key materials for refining rare earth elements. |
| Copyright | No |
| Owner of data set | |
| Quantitative reference | |
| Reference flow(s) | |
| Functional Unit | The scope of the LCA is cradle-to-gate and the functional unit was chosen as 1 kg of REO. |
| Technological representativeness | |
| Technology description including background system | The process chain for REO production includes mining followed by beneficiation, calcination, extraction, and roasting stages, see Figure 2. The first step in REO production is mining, wherein crude ore is blasted and transported for further refining. Crude ore abstracted from the Bayan Obo mine is composed of both monazite and bastnasite. |
| Flow diagram(s) or picture(s) | |
Modelling and validation
Administrative information
Inputs and Outputs