Life Cycle Assessment documents environmental benefits for Engebø rutile
Minviro, UK has carried out an independent Life Cycle Assessment (“LCA”) of the rutile product to be produced at Engebø Rutile and Garnet. The assessment shows that rutile from Engebø is top rated in terms of carbon footprint compared to alternative sources globally and has a superior water scarcity impact.
Results from the LCA
The LCA is a cradle-to-gate assessment of the production of natural rutile concentrate from Engebø and covers all production stages from the mine to the final product. The study includes calculations of the Global Warming Potential (“GWP”) and the water scarcity footprint. The GWP covers scope 1, 2 and 3[1] calculations of Green House Gas (“GHG”) emissions. The water scarcity footprint is based on water consumption and the regional water scarcity using the AWARE[2] methodology.
The table below presents the results summary of the LCA of the rutile product from the Engebø Rutile and Garnet operation.
| Impact Category | Impact Value | Units (per kg rutileconcentrate) |
| Global Warming Potential | 0.17 | kg CO₂ eq. |
| Water Scarcity Footprint | 0.03 | kg water eq. |
Logistical advantages, minimal internal transportation and availability of green hydroelectric power gives a beneficial GWP for the Engebø rutile. The main drivers of the GWP are the consumption of diesel in the mining operation and the explosive consumption related to the ore extraction.
Process water at Engebø will be sourced and converted from saltwater resulting in a limited water impact form the operation. The water impact is primarily from the impact of consumption of materials such as explosives (specifically ANFO - ammonium nitrate fuel oil), grinding media, and diesel.
Benchmarking against other raw materials
Minviro conducted a benchmarking study to compare the rutile from Engebø with a wide range of titanium-bearing feedstock production routes, including other natural rutile products, synthetic rutile, and titanium slag. The analysis shows that the GWP and water scarcity impact of the Engebø rutile is top rated and substantially lower than several alternative sources. Result from the GWP benchmarking is summarized in the graph below.
Natural rutile (~95% TiO2) is known as a superior titanium feedstock due to its high purity and TiO2 content. Other alternative titanium feedstocks such as ilmenite has a substantially lower TiO2 content (~50% TiO2). Natural rutile can be used directly in chlorination plants to make titanium pigment or as feed for titanium metal production, while the other raw materials have to go through additional processing steps. Ilmenite must be converted to upgraded synthetic rutile or titanium slag. This is done through carbon intensive leaching or smelting processes that produces substantial amounts of waste. The favorable logistics combined with the purity of the rutile product gives the Engebø rutile environmental benefits as a raw material.
“The LCA gives valuable insight into environmental advantages of sourcing rutile form Engebø. The Engebø rutile will form a good basis for low carbon titanium value chains. The study also tells us where we should put our effort to do better. We will continue the work to minimize our environmental footprint and aim for zero carbon emissions. We are in the process of looking at options to phasing out diesel in the mine”, says VP Resources and Sustainability, Mona Schanche.
For more information, please contact VP Resources and Sustainability, Mona Schanche at +4792281253
Oslo, 23 June 2022
Nordic Mining ASA
Nordic Mining ASA (www.nordicmining.com)
Nordic Mining ASA (“Nordic Mining” or the “Company”) is a resource company with focus on high-end industrial minerals and metals. The Company’s project portfolio is of high international standard and holds significant economic potential. The Company’s assets are in the Nordic region.
Nordic Mining is undertaking a large-scale project development at Engebø on the west coast of Norway where the Company has rights and permits to a substantial eclogite deposit with rutile and garnet. Nordic Mining also holds 12.0% of the shares in Keliber Oy, which is developing a lithium project in Finland to become the first European producer of battery grade lithium hydroxide.
In addition, Nordic Mining holds interests in other initiatives at various stages of development. This includes patented rights for a new technology for production of alumina and exploration of seabed minerals.
Nordic Mining is listed on Euronext Expand Oslo with ticker symbol “NOM”.
[1]) Scope 1: Direct GHG emissions (e.g. furnace off-gas, combustion of fuels) Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heat, or steam (e.g. emissions embodied in grid power) Scope 3: Other indirect emissions such as the extraction and production of purchased materials and fuels, transport-related activities in vehicles not owned or controlled by the
reporting entity, and outsourced activities.
[2]) The AWARE methodology is developed by Water Use in Life Cycle Assessment (WULCA), a working group of the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, on a water scarcity midpoint method for use in LCA and for water scarcity footprint assessments.
