Life-cycle assessment of coal mining wastes upcycling

Coal extraction generates coal mining wastes (CMW) that lead to additional environmental burdens. This study assesses the potential environmental benefits of using these CMW as secondary materials in the production of precast concrete cladding panels. Potential environmental impacts are measured using life cycle assessment (LCA). The system under assessment is a multi-functional system, including both the management of CMW and the production of concrete panels. Company data have been used to perform the assessment. Preliminary results show, for the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, that the main impacts associated with wastes management are due to diesel consumption and direct emissions to groundwater. For the concrete panel production, the impacts are primarily induced by cement production. This BAU scenario will be compared to a recycling scenario where CMW are incorporated into concrete production. Based on this comparative LCA, recommendations as to the use of CMW into construction products will be provided.