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Simoni MU, Drielsma JA, Ericsson M, Gunn AG, Heiberg S, Heldal TA, Nassar NT, Petavratzi E, Müller DB. Mass-Balance-Consistent Geological Stock Accounting: A New Approach toward Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:971-990. [PMID: 38166114 PMCID: PMC10795188 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Global resource extraction raises concerns about environmental pressures and the security of mineral supply. Strategies to address these concerns depend on robust information on natural resource endowments, and on suitable methods to monitor and model their changes over time. However, current mineral resources and reserves reporting and accounting workflows are poorly suited for addressing mineral depletion or answering questions about the long-term sustainable supply. Our integrative review finds that the lack of a robust theoretical concept and framework for mass-balance (MB)-consistent geological stock accounting hinders systematic industry-government data integration, resource governance, and strategy development. We evaluate the existing literature on geological stock accounting, identify shortcomings of current monitoring of mine production, and outline a conceptual framework for MB-consistent system integration based on material flow analysis (MFA). Our synthesis shows that recent developments in Earth observation, geoinformation management, and sustainability reporting act as catalysts that make MB-consistent geological stock accounting increasingly feasible. We propose first steps for its implementation and anticipate that our perspective as "resource realists" will facilitate the integration of geological and anthropogenic material systems, help secure future mineral supply, and support the global sustainability transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark U. Simoni
- Geological
Survey of Norway, Leiv Eirikssons vei 39, 7040 Trondheim, Norway
- Norwegian
University of Science and Technology, Industrial
Ecology Programme, Høgskoleringen
5, NO-7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Magnus Ericsson
- Luleå
University of Technology, Department of Business
Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, 97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Andrew G. Gunn
- British
Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
| | - Sigurd Heiberg
- Petronavit
AS, C/o Heiberg, Stokkahagen
23, 4022 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Tom A. Heldal
- Geological
Survey of Norway, Leiv Eirikssons vei 39, 7040 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nedal T. Nassar
- U.S.
Geological Survey, National Mineral Information
Center, 12201 Sunrise
Valley Dr., MS 988, Reston, Virginia 20192, United States
| | - Evi Petavratzi
- British
Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel B. Müller
- Norwegian
University of Science and Technology, Industrial
Ecology Programme, Høgskoleringen
5, NO-7034 Trondheim, Norway
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Zheng B, Zhang YW, Geng Y, Wei W, Tan X, Xiao S, Gao Z. Measuring the anthropogenic cycles of light rare earths in China: Implications for the imbalance problem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163215. [PMID: 37011686 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Light rare earth elements (LREEs) are of strategic importance for low carbon transition and decarbonization. However, the imbalance between LREEs exists and a systematic understanding of their flows and stocks is lacking, which impedes the attainment of resources efficiency and exacerbates the environmental burdens. This study examines the anthropogenic cycles and the imbalance problem of three representative LREEs in China, the largest LREEs producer in the world, including cerium (the most abundant), neodymium and praseodymium (the fastest demand-growing). We find that 1) from 2011 to 2020, the total consumption of Nd and Pr increased by 228 % and 223 %, respectively, mainly attributed to the increasing demand of NdFeB, whereas that of Ce increased by 157 %; 2) the supply insufficiency of Nd and Pr under the current quota system accumulated to 138,086 tons and 35,549 tons, respectively, while the oversupply of Ce reached 63,523 tons; and 3) China has become a net importer of LREEs concentrates, and a net exporter of LREEs in the form of intermediate and final products, imposing further burdens to the domestic environment. It is clear that the imbalance of LREEs occurred during the study period, raising urgent needs to adjust the LREEs production quotas, seek other Ce applications, and eliminate illegal mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Zheng
- China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 3 Yinlian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201306, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yuquan W Zhang
- China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 3 Yinlian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201306, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Yong Geng
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Wendong Wei
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xueping Tan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, No.1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Shijiang Xiao
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ziyan Gao
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
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Examining the influence of copper recycling on prospective resource supply and carbon emission reduction. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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