Assessing Mineral and Metal Resources in Life Cycle Assessment: An Overview of Existing Impact Assessment Methods
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Mineral resources and metals are integral to modern society, with growing demand driven by recent technological advancements. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides a valuable framework for assessing resource use, and numerous methodologies have been developed to address both midpoint and endpoint levels of life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing LCIA methodologies related to minerals and metals, with a focus on recent developments, progress made, and potential future directions. It examines these LCIA methods in terms of resources considered, underlying assumptions, data sources and identified limitations. Particularly, a central focus is placed on Rare Earth Elements (REEs), designated as critical raw materials by the European Union and other regions or governments. These REEs are mainly used in electrical and electronic components (e.g. electric vehicle motors) and in various renewable energy technologies (e.g. wind turbines) due to their unique properties that make them difficult to substitute. However, their supply is constrained by limited global reserves and their concentration in a few countries. This situation highlights the need for more reliable and accurate data on resource production and recycling. Additionally, this review presents case studies that apply LCIA methods to real-world scenarios, illustrating current capabilities as well as areas where further research and refinement are needed.
Source: Sustainability
DOI: 10.3390/su17041692
Institution: University of Padua
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W4407705506