Potential impact of coal mining and use for electricity generation in Brazil on global warming.

Marisa Nascimento, Center for Mineral Technology, Coordination of Metallurgical and Environmental Processes, BrazilFollow
Paulo Sergio Moreira Soares, Center for Mineral Technology, Coordination of Metallurgical and Environmental Processes, Brazil

Author ORCID Identifier

Marisa Nascimento: 0000-0001-7485-7750

Paulo Sergio Moreira Soares: 0009-0009-0957-0572

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate the potential contribution of coal production for electric power generation in Brazil to greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, applying life cycle assessment (LCA). The product system studied consists of mining, transportation of the coal to the power station, and power generation. The LCA was first developed only for coal mining in Brazil. Secondly, it was enlarged to include transportation of the coal domestically produced, the hard coal imported, and power generation (Integrated System BR). In the mining stage in Brazil (Brazilian coal), the contribution to the global warming potential was estimated at 237 kg of CO_2eq/t of coal. Coal extraction showed the highest contribution, approximately 232 kg of CO_2eq/t energetic coal (or 162 kg CO_2eq/t ROM). For the Integrated System BR, the total contribution to global warming potential was estimated at 1.11 x 10³ kg of CO2eq/MWh. The generation process showed the highest contribution, accounting for 89.04%. Fugitive emissions are responsible for most of the greenhouse gases emissions. Imported hard coal (production and transportation) accounted for only 1.22% of the total contribution to global warming potential

Recommended Citation

Nascimento, Marisa and Soares, Paulo Sergio Moreira (2025) "Potential impact of coal mining and use for electricity generation in Brazil on global warming.," Journal of Sustainable Mining: Vol. 24 : Iss. 1 , Article 5.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.46873/2300-3960.1439