Environmental impacts assessment of the cleaning of plant off-gas in the recovery process of PGM at the Anglo American Platinum LTD, South Africa

Abstract

The cleaning of off-gas in the process of producing platinum group metals and the conversion of highly concentrated sulphur dioxide (SO2) to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) are crucial in the current discussions of attempting to reduce emissions in the entire process of mining platinum metals in South Africa. Airborne SO2 emissions have become lately a subject of concern in the production of PGM that are considered contributing in the reduction of emissions of carbon through renewable and clean energy technologies. SO2 emissions are measured in terms of tons per day in the PGM production process. In addition this fact brought forth more considerations in reengineering process of handling and cleaning of off-gas in plant operations. This paper further examined solutions provided in terms of processes and resources used to handle and clean off-gas as well as convert SO2 to H2SO4. Tools for life cycle assessment (LCA) for inventory and identification of environmental damage impacts of identified emissions are assessed and conclusions were drawn