The life cycle assessment of cyanide containers in Ghana
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Authors
Engelbrecht, Deborah
Issue Date
2010-06
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Sodium cyanide , Life cycle assessment , Polyethylene liner , Polypropylene liner , Intermediate bulk container , Ghana , Gold , Cradle to grave
Alternative Title
Abstract
Ghana, a West Africa country, is deeply burdened by poverty, and relies on the production of
gold for economic sustainability. The gold mining companies in the country have
international origins and receive most of their requirements from international sources. The
extraction of gold from the crushed ore requires sodium cyanide as a lixiviant, which is
imported into Ghana from other countries in wooden intermediate bulk containers (IBC) for
further distribution to the mines. A life cycle assessment was completed to determine the
burden that this packaging, which includes the wooden container and polyethylene and
polypropylene liners, places on the environment in Ghana when disposed of. It was found
that the life cycle of the incinerated IBC impacted on the Ghanaian environment the most, due
to the incineration and the transportation of the IBC. The International Organization for
Standardization 14040 management standard was used as a methodological framework for the
assessment.
Description
Citation
Engelbrecht, Deborah (2010) The life cycle assessment of cyanide containers in Ghana, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/3603>