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Long term energy-related environmental issues of copper production

Author

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  • Alvarado, S
  • Maldonado, P
  • Barrios, A
  • Jaques, I

Abstract

Primary copper production is a major activity in the mining sector of several countries. However, it is highly energy-intensive and poses important environmental hazards. In the case of Chile, the world's largest copper producer (40% of world total), we examine its energy consumption and energy-related environmental implications over a time horizon of 25 years. Concerning the latter, we focus on greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, one of the most debated environmental issues. This paper follows-up our previous report in which the current situation was analyzed and a particular technical option for improving the energy efficiency and concurrently reducing GHG emissions was discussed. Estimated reference or base (BS) and mitigation (MS) scenarios are developed for the period ending in 2020. The former assesses the energy demand projected in accordance with production forecasts and specific energy consumption patterns (assuming that energy efficiency measures are adopted ‘spontaneously’) with their resultant GHG emissions, while the latter assumes induced actions intended to reduce emissions by adopting an aggressive policy of efficient energy use. For the year 2020, the main results are: (i) BS, 1214t of CO2/ton of refined copper content (49% lower than in 1994); (ii) MS, 1037t of CO2/t of refined copper content (56% lower than in 1994). CO2 emissions have been estimated considering both fuel and electricity process requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Alvarado, S & Maldonado, P & Barrios, A & Jaques, I, 2002. "Long term energy-related environmental issues of copper production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 183-196.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:27:y:2002:i:2:p:183-196
    DOI: 10.1016/S0360-5442(01)00067-6
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    1. Alvarado, Sergio & Maldonado, Pedro & Jaques, Iván, 1999. "Energy and environmental implications of copper production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 307-316.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lerede, D. & Bustreo, C. & Gracceva, F. & Saccone, M. & Savoldi, L., 2021. "Techno-economic and environmental characterization of industrial technologies for transparent bottom-up energy modeling," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    2. Fthenakis, Vasilis & Wang, Wenming & Kim, Hyung Chul, 2009. "Life cycle inventory analysis of the production of metals used in photovoltaics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(3), pages 493-517, April.
    3. Correa, Juan A. & Gómez, Marcos & Luengo, Andrés & Parro, Francisco, 2021. "Environmental misallocation in the copper industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    4. Northey, S. & Mohr, S. & Mudd, G.M. & Weng, Z. & Giurco, D., 2014. "Modelling future copper ore grade decline based on a detailed assessment of copper resources and mining," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 190-201.
    5. Najdenov, Ivan & Raić, Karlo T. & Kokeza, Gordana, 2012. "Aspects of energy reduction by autogenous copper production in the copper smelting plant Bor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 376-384.
    6. Lu, Jiajun & Yang, Shiliang & Wang, Hua, 2024. "Investigation of the oxygen-methane combustion and heating characteristics in industrial-scale copper anode refining furnace," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    7. Felipe Seabra d’Almeida & Roberto Bentes de Carvalho & Felipe Sombra dos Santos & Rodrigo Fernandes Magalhães de Souza, 2022. "Economic Analysis of a Conceptual Industrial Route for Printed Circuit Boards Processing Based on Mass and Energy Balances," World, MDPI, vol. 3(3), pages 1-15, July.
    8. Frederik Reitsma & Peter Woods & Martin Fairclough & Yongjin Kim & Harikrishnan Tulsidas & Luis Lopez & Yanhua Zheng & Ahmed Hussein & Gerd Brinkmann & Nils Haneklaus & Anand Rao Kacham & Tumuluri Sre, 2018. "On the Sustainability and Progress of Energy Neutral Mineral Processing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.

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