TA11A Case Studies on Minerals and Metals Products
C120-122
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Tuesday
() Using life cycle assessment to generate business value at Kennecott Utah Copper.
Adams, W1, Shoop, M2, Russell, A3, Fava, J3, 1 Rio Tinto, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA2 Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA3 Five Winds International, Valencia, CA, USA
ABSTRACT- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is being used increasingly around the world by decision-makers to help incorporate the environmental component of sustainability into their decisions. This includes companies such as General Motors and Electrolux, architects and builders, and public sector organizations such as local governments and federal governments worldwide. In response to these activities, Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation (KUCC) initiated a project to complete a cradle-to-gate LCA to assess the environmental performance of its operations and copper cathode, molybdenum oxide and sulfuric acid products. The result is a cradle-to-gate, ISO 14040 series compliant LCA study of the three products. The functional unit for the study was 1000kg of each product produced. Data gathered for the study represents operations at KUCC′s facilities from July 2002 to June 2003. The analysis examined how the LCIs for each product contribute to environmental inputs and outputs such as water and hazardous waste and indicators such as smog, acid rain, energy and greenhouse gases. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity of the model and data to the allocation choices made. The study provides a solid foundation for future studies on other products (gold, silver, platinum, etc.) and environmental management decisions. In addition to providing the environmental basis for overall sustainability and product stewardship, the study provides information for communication with customers, process improvement and scenario analysis. For example, the study results have been used in interactions with customers to help secure contracts and demonstrate the overall value of KUCC′s products. Additionally, the model is being used to analyze various process changes proposed for the site to ensure decisions contribute to KUCC′s sustainable development goals. This presentation will highlight the project method, results and current and future uses.
Key words: copper, life cycle assessment, environmental, product stewardship