1
Compiled by Dr. Joe Herbertson
June 2001
Sustainable Resource
Processing
High
Volume Wastes and Emissions
•Together, the production of cement, virgin iron and
aluminium consume 6% of global electricity and contribute over 12 % of
anthropogenic
global Greenhouse gas emissions
-the major sources are limestone
calcination, coal based ironmaking and the electricity used for aluminium smelting
•A high proportion of
metallurgical slags and residues, and flyash from electricity generation, are
stockpiled or put to low value uses
-substitution for cement clinker is
an eco-effective way to reduce quarrying, net Greenhouse emissions and waste
stockpiles
-many metallurgical residues have
significant iron contents that restrict their use in building and construction etc.
•Minerals and metals processing require high water volumes,
and water
management is an important issue at the local and regional level
-intense activities include steel
cooling, gold processing and hydrometallurgical operations
1: Estimated global figures - CO2 equivalent; includes electricity generation component
2: Estimated global
figures for production; flyash due to electricity required for minerals
processing only, not power generation generally, which is 8Mt/a in Australia alone;
note, some residues do find value adding applications
SLAGS & RESIDUES PRODUCED
million tonnes pa. 2
Iron & Steel 300
Red Mud 100
Base Metals ~25
Flyash 8
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
billion tonnes pa. 1
Cement 1.8
Iron 1.1
Aluminium 0.3