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Industrial Ecology Framework for Achieving Cleaner Production in the Mining and Minerals Industry

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Industrial Ecology Framework for Achieving Cleaner Production in the Mining and Minerals Industry Journal of Cleaner Production 14 (2006) 299e304 www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro Industrial ecology framework for achieving cleaner production in the mining and minerals industry Arun J. Basu a,*, Dirk J.A. van Zyl b a Mining and Ventilation, M&I Heat Transfer Products Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario, L5N6H6, Canada b Mining Life Cycle Center, University of Nevada, Reno, 89557, USA Received 16 June 2004; received in revised form 30 September 2004; accepted 1 October 2004 Available online 01 December 2005 Abstract Industrial ecology (IE) is an emerging framework adopted in the manufacturing, construction, and process industries to provide innovative solutions in strategic planning, leading to cleaner operation and production. An IE framework integrates a large number of processes, economic constraints, and environmental, health and safety considerations for optimized resource utilization. This paper provides a review of environmental management practices in the mining and minerals industry, emphasizing two concepts: IE and cleaner production. The mining and minerals industry provides primary materials for industrial activities; as such, it is an important component in the ‘‘industrial ecosystem.’’ This industry is subject to very stringent social and environmental scrutiny, while providing society with required natural resources to meet essential sustainable development requirements. The implementation of an IE framework in the sector will contribute to sustainable development. Ó 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Keywords: Sustainable development; Industrial ecology; Cleaner production; Pollution prevention; Waste minimization; Mining operation; Mineral processing 1. Introduction sustainable development (SD) in the context of the mining and minerals industry. Sustainable development Industrial ecology (IE) is an emerging field, which and the mining and minerals industry has been the focus covers the study of physical, chemical, and biological of recent academic and industrial research [2], especially interactions and interrelationships both within and the work performed as part of the Mining, Minerals and between industrial and ecological systems [1]. Imple- Sustainable Development (MMSD) project [3]. There menting an IE framework incorporates the strategy of have been numerous other recent publications on this cleaner production and pollution prevention in in- topic which focus on the mining and minerals industry dustrial activities. The application of IE principles to specifically, including two compendiums of conference mining and mineral processing is therefore a logical step. proceedings [4,5]. However, to achieve SD, the highest This framework also promotes understanding of the goal, at the global level, a strategic plan for implement- impacts of industrial systems on their environment. ing effective policies for cleaner production and pollu- This framework paper addresses two major concepts: tion prevention at the corporate and operational levels is (1) IE, and (2) cleaner production for achieving essential. Such policies must emphasize waste minimi- zation, recycling, pollution control, and waste disposal activities at the local (operational/site) level. IE provides * Corresponding author. a framework for synthesizing these concepts at various E-mail address: [email protected] (A.J. Basu). levels to improve operational efficiencies and reduce the 0959-6526/$ - see front matter Ó 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2004.10.008 300 A.J. Basu, D.J.A. van Zyl / Journal of Cleaner Production 14 (2006) 299e304 negative impacts of industrial activities on the ecological rial, to product, to waste product, and to ultimate system. disposal. Factors to be optimized include resources, This paper presents a broad framework to implement energy and capital.’’ IE processes in the mining and mineral processing Both definitions emphasize the interrelationships industries at the global/corporate level. It strives to between natural and industrial systems and the necessity clarify the relationships between IE, cleaner production to limit environmental impacts by balancing input, and pollution prevention. In order to contribute to output and ecosystem capacity. This concept can be sustainable development, the industry must successfully accepted at the global/corporate level. However, it can implement these activities at the operational level; much also be applied at the local/operational level with the of this already occurs. The next section provides a number aim of optimizing resources, energy and capital. of definitions; this is followed by sections on the proposed Next, the concept of cleaner production (CP) is global framework, and cleaner production and pollution introduced. CP or CP terminology was introduced by prevention. the UNEP [9]. CP is an internationally-accepted term describing processes emphasizing reductions in negative environmental impacts from processes, products, and 2. Definitions services, and the implementation of improved manage- ment strategies, methods, and tools [10]. In North This section of the paper provides a selection of America, the term Pollution Prevention (P2) is used definitions of industrial ecology and cleaner production. interchangeably with CP. P2 is similar to CP but tends There is no single definition of industrial ecology (IE) to be applied almost exclusively to manufacturing that is universally accepted; a number of definitions are processes. CP is therefore more universally acceptable available in the IE compendium [1]. However, the two and applicable to industrial processes in general. The most authoritative definitions [6] are introduced here for UNEP definition of CP [9] is as follows: further discussion. They are as follows: According to Tibbs [7]: ‘‘.the continuous application of an integrated pre- ventive environmental strategy to processes, products, ‘‘The aim of industrial ecology is to interpret and adapt and services to increase overall efficiency, and reduce an understanding of the natural system and apply it to risks to humans and the environment. Cleaner Pro- the design of the manmade system, in order to achieve duction can be applied to the processes used in any a pattern of industrialization that is not only more industry, to products themselves and to various services efficient, but that is intrinsically adjusted to the provided in society.’’ tolerances and characteristics of the natural system. The emphasis is on forms of technology that work with The mining and mineral industry includes many natural systems, not against them. Applied industrial production processes and services. The relevant UNEP ecology is an integrated management and technical definitions [9] are as follows: program including: ‘‘For production processes, Cleaner Production re- The creation of industrial ecosystem sults from one or a combination of conserving raw Balancing industrial input and output to natural materials, water and energy; eliminating toxic and ecosystem capacity dangerous raw materials; and reducing the quantity Dematerialization of industrial output and toxicity of all emissions and wastes at source Improving the metabolic pathways of industrial during the production process.’’ processes and materials use ‘‘For services, Cleaner Production implies incorpo- Systematic patterns of energy use rating environmental concerns into designing and Policy alignment with a long-term perspective of delivering services.’’ industrial ecosystem evolution.’’ A definition of P2 is also included for completion. Graedel and Allenby [8] define IE as: Moreover, this definition is applicable to mining equipment manufacturers as P2 emphasis is on the ‘‘. the means by which humanity can deliberately and manufacturing process. The definition is provided in the rationally approach and maintain a desirable carrying US CFR 42 [10] as part of the US Pollution Prevention capacity, given continued economic, cultural and Act of 1990: technological evolution. The concept requires that an industrial system be viewed not in isolation from its ‘‘The term ‘‘source reduction’’ [or pollution prevention] surrounding systems, but in concert with them. It is means any practice which (i) reduces the amount of a system view in which one seeks to optimize the total any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant materials cycle from virgin material, to finished mate- entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the A.J. Basu, D.J.A. van Zyl / Journal of Cleaner Production 14 (2006) 299e304 301 environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to The Staircase of Concepts recycling, treatment, or disposal; and (ii) reduces the Sustainable hazards to public health and the environment associated Scope Development and Industrial Ecology with the release of such substances, pollutants, or Results contaminants. The term includes equipment or technol- Cleaner Production ogy modifications, process or procedure modifications, Pollution Prevention reformulation or redesign of products, substitution of raw materials, and improvements in housekeeping, Waste Minimization maintenance, training, or inventory control. The term Recycling Environmental ‘‘source reduction’’ does not include any practice which Pollution Control Management Systems alters the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics Waste Disposal or the volume of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant through a process or activity which itself is not integral to and necessary for the production of Time and Work a product or the providing of a service.’’ Fig.
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