multiplying activity data by the appropriate EF, in accordance with NGER Account Factors (2025) [13]: (Equation 1) 2 ( )= [ ] ( )× 2 [ ] ( ) 3.4 Stage 4: Interpretation of the results The final stage involves analysing LCIA results, enabling an overall understanding of the product system. This includes identifying significant issues, evaluating completeness, sensitivity, and consistency, and drawing conclusions and recommendations [2, 3]. The data's accuracy and representativeness must also be verified in accordance with the goal and scope defined in stage 1. The interpretation may also involve sensitivity analyses to determine which aspect, process, or piece of equipment has the most significant impact on the entire process. This is done to identify the greatest opportunities for improvement and to provide further recommendations. 4. CASE STUDY RESULTS In this section, only the first case study (copper concentrator) will be discussed in detail, since the other case studies follow the same methodology. However, the final results of the iron/lithium cases will be included. 4.1 Stage 1: Goal and scope definition The product system covers copper concentrate production within a gate-to-gate boundary, from comminution to copper concentrate output. The functional unit is one tonne of copper concentrate, with results also expressed per tonne of ore feed. Ecoinvent was used as the primary database for EFs. 4.2 Stage 2: Life cycle inventory (LCI) The copper plant (located in Chile) flowsheet comprises grinding (SAG and ball mills), beneficiation (rougher and cleaner flotation, regrinding), and the dewatering unit (thickening/filtration). Crushing was excluded due to data unavailability. Input streams include electricity, mill liners, grinding media, and reagents. Emissions (CO2e) from each plant unit will be calculated before combining to estimate the total impact (kg CO2e / t Cu concentrate). The inventory and details are shown in Figure 1 and Table 2. Data collection is discussed according to the associated emissions scope, i.e., Scope 1, 2, and 3. 210
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