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Estimates of electricity requirements for the recovery of mineral commodities, with examples applied to sub-Saharan Africa

Open-File Report 2011-1253
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20111253

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Abstract

To produce materials from mine to market it is necessary to overcome obstacles that include the force of gravity, the strength of molecular bonds, and technological inefficiencies. These challenges are met by the application of energy to accomplish the work that includes the direct use of electricity, fossil fuel, and manual labor. The tables and analyses presented in this study contain estimates of electricity consumption for the mining and processing of ores, concentrates, intermediate products, and industrial and refined metallic commodities on a kilowatt-hour per unit basis, primarily the metric ton or troy ounce. Data contained in tables pertaining to specific currently operating facilities are static, as the amount of electricity consumed to process or produce a unit of material changes over time for a great number of reasons. Estimates were developed from diverse sources that included feasibility studies, company-produced annual and sustainability reports, conference proceedings, discussions with government and industry experts, journal articles, reference texts, and studies by nongovernmental organizations.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Estimates of electricity requirements for the recovery of mineral commodities, with examples applied to sub-Saharan Africa
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2011-1253
DOI 10.3133/ofr20111253
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) National Minerals Information Center
Description vi, 20 p.; Appendix
Other Geospatial Sub-saharan Africa
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details