Moya Marcelo, Martínez-Gómez Javier, Carabajo Carla, Toapanta Angel, Cruz Carlos
Universidad de Alcalá (UAH), Escuela Politécnica, Departamento de Teoría de la Señal y la Comunicación, (Área de Ingeniería Mecánica), Alcalá de Henares, 28801, Madrid, Spain.
Facultad de Ciencias Técnicas, Universidad Internacional del Ecuador UIDE, 170411, Quito, Ecuador.
Environ Geochem Health. 2025 May 2;47(6):192. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02487-9.
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) plays a significant role in global mineral production, particularly in developing countries, providing employment and supporting local economies. However, ASM is characterized by high energy intensity, inefficient processing technologies, and a substantial carbon footprint, primarily driven by reliance on electricity and diesel-powered machinery. This study evaluates key energy indicators including Gross Energy Requirement, Energy Intensity Index, and CO emissions to identify patterns and inefficiencies in energy consumption across ASM operations. Findings reveal that grinding processes account for the highest energy consumption, while electricity contributes over 99% of total energy usage, generating an average emission factor of 25.55 kg CO/GJ from 2019 to 2023. Diesel and GLP, though minor in contribution, remain critical sources of emissions. The analysis underscores the strong correlation between energy intensity and CO emissions, highlighting the environmental impact of operational inefficiencies. Recommendations include adopting energy-efficient technologies, optimizing energy management systems, and enhancing regulatory frameworks to reduce energy consumption and minimize the sector's carbon footprint. This study provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to balance economic benefits with environmental sustainability in ASM practices.
手工和小规模采矿（ASM）在全球矿产生产中发挥着重要作用，特别是在发展中国家，提供了就业机会并支持当地经济。然而，ASM的特点是能源强度高、加工技术效率低下以及大量的碳足迹，主要原因是依赖电力和柴油驱动的机械。本研究评估了包括总能源需求、能源强度指数和碳排放等关键能源指标，以识别ASM作业中能源消耗的模式和低效率情况。研究结果表明，研磨过程占能源消耗的比例最高，而电力占总能源使用量的99%以上，2019年至2023年的平均排放因子为25.55千克二氧化碳/吉焦。柴油和液化石油气虽然贡献较小，但仍然是关键的排放源。分析强调了能源强度与碳排放之间的强相关性，突出了运营低效率对环境的影响。建议包括采用节能技术、优化能源管理系统以及加强监管框架，以减少能源消耗并最小化该部门的碳足迹。本研究为政策制定者和利益相关者在ASM实践中平衡经济效益与环境可持续性提供了可操作的见解。
