<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This paper is aimed to systematically assess greenhouse gases (GHGs) and energy intensity of the granite rock mining operations in Thailand and also identify a range of feasible options to minimize their GHG emissions. Mining factories A, B and C, located in the Eastern region of Thailand, were selected as research case studies. The results indicated that the 3-year average of GHGs emissions from factories A to C was 3387 718 kgCO2e per year with approximately 2.92 kgCO2e per ton of granite rock produced over 2012 to 2014. Of this, the carbon intensity of grid-electricity consumption for the crushed rock production was 1.84 kgCO2/kWh. Diesel fuel combustion for transport activities in the mining factories was the greatest contributor to GHGs emissions (68 %) compared to the purchased electricity and explosion process, with 31 % and 1 %, respectively. In-Pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC) installation, haul truck payload optimization and management, and reduction in tire rolling resistance have shown potential to reduce carbon emissions accounted for 20 % to 70 %.</abstract>

This paper is aimed to systematically assess greenhouse gases (GHGs) and energy intensity of the granite rock mining operations in Thailand and also identify a range of feasible options to minimize their GHG emissions. Mining factories A, B and C, located in the Eastern region of Thailand, were selected as research case studies. The results indicated that the 3-year average of GHGs emissions from factories A to C was 3387 718 kgCO2e per year with approximately 2.92 kgCO2e per ton of granite rock produced over 2012 to 2014. Of this, the carbon intensity of grid-electricity consumption for the crushed rock production was 1.84 kgCO2/kWh. Diesel fuel combustion for transport activities in the mining factories was the greatest contributor to GHGs emissions (68 %) compared to the purchased electricity and explosion process, with 31 % and 1 %, respectively. In-Pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC) installation, haul truck payload optimization and management, and reduction in tire rolling resistance have shown potential to reduce carbon emissions accounted for 20 % to 70 %.

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Intensity of Granite Rock Mining Operations in Thailand: A Case of Industrial Rock-Construction

Environmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University (ERIC), Bangkok 10330,

Research Program of Toxic Substance Management in the Mining Industry, Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Bangkok 10330,

Research Unit of Site Remediation on Metals Management from Industry and Mining (Site Rem), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330,

Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330,

Environmental and Climate Technologies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

This paper is aimed to systematically assess greenhouse gases (GHGs) and energy intensity of the granite rock mining operations in Thailand and also identify a...

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Intensity of Granite Rock Mining Operations in Thailand: A Case of Industrial Rock-Construction

Published Online: Jan 27, 2017

Page range: 64 - 75

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/rtuect-2016-0014

Keywords
Emissions, granite, greenhouse gases, industrial rock-construction, Thailand

© 2016 Riga Technical University

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Intensity of Granite Rock Mining Operations in Thailand: A Case of Industrial Rock-Construction

Published Online: Jan 27, 2017

Page range: 64 - 75

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/rtuect-2016-0014

KeywordsEmissions, granite, greenhouse gases, industrial rock-construction, Thailand

© 2016 Riga Technical University

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

Keywords
Emissions, granite, greenhouse gases, industrial rock-construction, Thailand