Water footprint assessment of mining and processing of gold in Turkey

Guney E., DEMİREL N.

International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, vol.38, no.5, pp.373-389, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 38 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/17480930.2024.2303179
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Applied Science & Technology Source, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, INSPEC, Pollution Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.373-389
  • Keywords: Gold Mining, Life Cycle Assessment, Sustainable Water Management, water consumption in gold processing, Water Footprint Assessment
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study aims to identify critical points by calculating the water footprint (WF) of a mine and assessing the environmental impact of this water usage. Utilising the Water Footprint Assessment (WFA) methodology for critical points and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for environmental impact, results reveal that, among the identified hotspots, the highest blue water footprint is associated with the lost return flow, measuring 260.61 m3/kg Au. Regarding the grey water footprint, arsenic exhibits the highest value, measuring 1.777 m3/kg Au. Among the five impact categories, climate change human health emerges as the most environmentally affected category.