LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF STEEL BALLS CASE STUDY - CRASTER INTERNATIONAL

Global warming effects have become very apparent in many parts of the world causing governments to force their industries to be environmentally conscious. Small individual contributions will help abate global warming. The steel industry, if left unattended, has great potential of releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In this paper a life cycle assessment (LCA) for steel balls used as grinding media in mines that are produced at Craster International in Zimbabwe is discussed. Knowing the life cycle environmental impacts of the steel balls is very important since they produce greenhouse gases in their production. The emitted carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxides and other trace greenhouse gases have adverse effects on flora, fauna, water bodies and humans. Interviews, questionnaire and direct observation and measurements were used to generate the data. The data is analyzed and a new LCA diagram from the results of the research and recommendations was made.