Life cycle assessment and process simulation of prospective battery-grade cobalt sulfate production from Co-Au ores in Finland

Abstract Purpose The soaring demand for cobalt lithium-ion batteries has increased interest in the utilization of non-conventional sources. Such raw materials include complex ores containing minerals such as cobaltite and skutterudite, which, while rare, occur around world, including Finland, Canada, USA. goal this study was to evaluate cradle-to-gate impacts sulfate recovery from unutilized cobalt- gold-bearing with use process simulation. Methods A literature analysis conducted establish state-of-the-art processing methods significant amounts gold. drafted simulated using HSC Sim software obtain a mass energy balance, which compiled into life cycle inventory (LCI). environmental impact categories (global warming, acidification, eutrophication, ozone depletion, photochemical smog creation, water use) were calculated GaBi software. Uncertainty regarding possible future material composition studied, simulation used investigate performance effect variation parameters on indicators. Results discussion results indicated that main mineral type (cobaltite, linnaeite) had only minor effects evaluated categories. With cobaltite-dominated ( High As case), global warming potential (GWP) estimated be 20.9 kg CO 2 -eq, 12.7 -eq attributed hydrometallurgical process. linnaeite-dominated ores, equivalent values 20.4 11.0 -eq. production high grade concentrate observed greatly decrease process, but losses beneficiation stage would likely increase. showed there is still improve (to approximately 96%), also affect indicator values. Conclusions prior intensive metallurgical testing determine areas Based this, it suggested that, during processing, improved treatment cobalt-containing wash waters optimization oxygen efficiency pressure leaching are most ways impacts. Optimal solutions could found when experimental data steps becomes available.