A Web-Based Tool for Assessing Sustainability in Secondary Raw Material Recovery Projects Using the UNFC Framework

The increasing demand for raw materials in our society and the requirements for supply security in particular regarding the critical raw materials require the implementation of sustainable resource management in the sense of the best possible conservation of natural resources as well as the promotion of recycling and recovery of valuable materials from waste. In the mining sector, classification systems like CRIRSCO were introduced to communicate the viability of projects. In the realm of resource classification, the United Nations Framework Classification of Resources (UNFC) stands as a crucial tool, offering a principles-based approach to classifying the viability of any kind of resource development projects including renewable energy or groundwater. By systematically classifying projects based on their environmental, socio-economic, and technical aspects, the UNFC provides decision-makers with valuable insights for making choices regarding their viability and offers the opportunity to take sustainability aspects into account. A consistent evaluation and classification of projects according to the same premises as for primary raw materials can significantly contribute to the efficiency of initiatives for the recovery and recycling of secondary raw materials including mining waste. There is a Guidance[1] for the Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) for Mineral and Anthropogenic Resources in Europe. However, it doesn’t include end-of-life products as anthropogenic resources. There are also no instructions on how to evaluate and classify SRM projects.

To bridge the gap, our focus has centered on the development of a web-based tool explicitly designed for the assessment of SRM recovery projects in line with the principles of the UNFC. A seven-stage approach was developed to streamline the evaluation process and by that, improve the accessibility and applicability of the classification system. Its design, features, and functionalities are tailored to ensure a user-friendly interface. Users are guided from the outset by defining the project and its systems boundaries, formulating the project’s objective and the context of evaluation, including the choice of the controlling factors, to carry out a thorough analysis of SRMs and thus align their initiatives with the principles of the UNFC. At the end, a template is available for reporting.

This poster presentation aims to emphasize the versatility and effectiveness of our web-based tool through a practical example, using a publication developed to classify a tailings storage facility in Germany. Through an interactive demonstration, the user-friendly interface, the power of customizable inputs, and the seven coordinated steps that guide users in assessing the feasibility and viability of secondary raw material projects will be discussed. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how the tool facilitates informed decision-making by providing a systematic approach to evaluating projects involving secondary raw materials, aligning with the principles of the UNFC.

[1] https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/UNFC%20GUIDANCE%20EUROPE-FINAL.pdf