Abstract
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.