Method for managing metal resource and method for manufacturing metal material

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for providing a low carbon footprint material. Provided is a method for managing a mineral, the method including: a step in which a plurality of minerals are acquired; a step in which a terminal receives information relating to a specific mineral among the plurality of minerals, said information including the carbon footprint of the specific mineral; a step in which the minerals are used at least as starting materials to manufacture a metal material; a step in which the terminal receives, from a server, information regarding a shipping limit for the metal material, which is treated as being manufactured only from the specific mineral, said shipping limit being dependent on the amount that the specific mineral contributed or is expected to contribute to the manufacture of the metal material; and a step in which a value calculated on the basis of the carbon footprint of the specific mineral is allocated to the carbon footprint of the metal material, within the range of the shipping limit, and the metal material is shipped.

Description

Method for managing metal resources and method for manufacturing metal materials 【0001】 The present disclosure relates to a method for managing metal resources (e.g., minerals) and a method for manufacturing metal materials. 【0002】 In recent years, from the perspective of SDGs, the movement of recycling metal resources has been accelerating. Enterprises are actively working to obtain metal resources as raw materials for products not only from minerals but also from scrap that has already been commercialized and has completed its role. 【0003】 Patent Document 1 discloses a method for authenticating recycled products executed by a computer system. And in that document, it discloses handling information such as the outflow amount of recycled certified resin products in the mass balance approach. 【0004】 Patent Document 2 discloses a method for calculating the amount of carbon footprint. Specifically, a method for calculating the amount of carbon footprint based on the emissions related to the production and use of electronic media content and the emissions emitted from the procurement, production, distribution, and use of raw materials of information and communication equipment to disposal or recycling is disclosed. 【0005】 International Publication No. 2022 / 092278, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-215773 【0006】 From a mine, for example, concentrate may be supplied as a metal resource. And in the process of obtaining concentrate from ore, a certain amount of carbon footprint (CFP) will increase. The amount of CFP associated with the concentrate may vary depending on the mine. Therefore, if it can be handled as a metal material manufactured from metal resources derived from a mine with a low CFP, it can be supplied as a metal material with a low CFP. This is advantageous for manufacturing enterprises that are required to address current environmental issues. For the above reasons, the present disclosure aims to provide a method and the like for providing a low-CFP material. 【0007】This disclosure encompasses, in one aspect, the following inventions: (Invention 1) A method for managing minerals, comprising: (1) the step of acquiring a plurality of minerals; (2) the step of a terminal receiving information relating to a particular mineral among the plurality of minerals, wherein the information includes the carbon footprint of the particular mineral; (3) the step of manufacturing a metallic material using the minerals as at least as raw materials; (4) the step of a terminal receiving information from a server regarding a shipment quota for the metallic material to be treated as being manufactured solely from the particular mineral, wherein the shipment quota depends on the amount that the particular mineral has contributed to, or is expected to contribute to, the manufacturing of the metallic material; and (5) the step of shipping the metallic material within the scope of the shipment quota, by assigning a value calculated based on the carbon footprint of the particular mineral to the carbon footprint of the metallic material. (Invention 2) The method according to Invention 1, wherein the step of acquiring the plurality of minerals comprises acquiring minerals from a plurality of mines, and the particular mineral is a mineral from a particular mine among the plurality of mines. (Invention 3) A method according to Invention 1 or 2, wherein the allocation is such that the amount of carbon footprint allocated to a particular metal material is relatively low among a plurality of identical metal materials produced in the same smelting process. (Invention 4) A method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the metal material is a metal material consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, and Pd. (Invention 5) A method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the metal material is electrolytic copper. (Invention 6) A method of producing a metal material that is treated as being produced solely from the particular mineral, using a method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 5. (Invention 7) A method according to Invention 6, wherein a value calculated based on the carbon footprint of the particular mineral is assigned to the metal material.(Invention 8) A method for managing minerals, the method being carried out by a computer system, the system comprising at least one server and at least one terminal, the method comprising: (1) a step of the terminal receiving information relating to a specific mineral among a plurality of acquired minerals, the information including the carbon footprint of the specific mineral; (2) a step of the terminal receiving from the server information relating to a shipment quota of the metal material that will be treated as being made solely from the specific mineral when the metal material is manufactured using the mineral as at least as a raw material, wherein the shipment quota depends on the amount that the specific mineral has contributed to, or is expected to contribute to, the manufacture of the metal material; and (3) a step of the server performing a process to allocate a value calculated based on the carbon footprint of the specific mineral to the carbon footprint of the metal material within the range of the shipment quota when shipping the manufactured metal material. 【0008】 In one aspect, the above invention assigns a value calculated based on the carbon footprint of a specific mineral to the carbon footprint of a specific metal material among a plurality of metal materials. This makes it possible to provide a low CFP material. 【0009】The method of this disclosure in one embodiment is shown. The concept of the mass balance approach is explained. The concept of the mass balance approach is explained. The difference from Figure 2 is that Figure 2 represents the actual shipment status to Company A, while Figure 3 represents the conceptual shipment status of the mass balance approach. Here, although the metal material actually shipped is manufactured from minerals derived from multiple mines, it is treated as if it were manufactured and shipped only from minerals derived from a specific mine. The information processing device of this disclosure in one embodiment is shown. The system of this disclosure in one embodiment is shown. The system of this disclosure and an external terminal in one embodiment are shown. The database of the system of this disclosure (e.g., a server) or an external cloud server in one embodiment is shown. The flow of minerals and metal material in the method of this disclosure in one embodiment is shown. Here, the metal material actually shipped is treated as if it were manufactured from concentrate from mine B. Conceptually, this results in a lower CFP of the shipped metal material. The numerical values ​​shown in Figure 8 are shown after being appropriately converted based on the numerical values ​​shown in Figure 10 (e.g., CFP amount for concentrate). Therefore, please note that due to the rounding of numerical values, there is a discrepancy in the fractional level between the calculation formula shown in Figure 8 and the calculation result. The flow of minerals and metallic materials in the method of this disclosure in one embodiment is shown. Here, the metallic material actually shipped is treated as being manufactured from the concentrate of mine B. Also, unlike Figure 8, in Figure 9, minerals originating from mine B are provided multiple times. The flow of minerals and metallic materials in the method of this disclosure in one embodiment is shown. Here, the metallic material actually shipped is treated as being manufactured from the concentrate of mine B. Conceptually, this results in a lower CFP of the shipped metallic material. 【0010】 The following describes specific embodiments for carrying out the invention. The following description is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 【0011】1. Overview 1-1. Overview of the Method In one embodiment, the Disclosure relates to a method for managing minerals. The method includes the following steps (see Figure 1): (1) acquiring a plurality of minerals; (2) a terminal receiving information relating to a specific mineral among the plurality of minerals, the information including the carbon footprint of the specific mineral; (3) manufacturing a metallic material using the minerals as at least raw materials; (4) a terminal receiving information from a server regarding a shipment quota for the metallic material to be treated as being manufactured solely from the specific mineral, where the shipment quota depends on the amount that the specific mineral has contributed to, or is expected to contribute to, the manufacturing of the metallic material; and (5) shipping the metallic material within the shipment quota, assigning a value calculated based on the carbon footprint of the specific mineral to the carbon footprint of the metallic material. In another embodiment, the Disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a metallic material to be treated as being manufactured solely from the specific mineral, using the above method. 【0012】 1-2. Mass Balance Approach In a further embodiment, the allocation of values ​​calculated based on the carbon footprint in the above method may be based on the mass balance approach. The mass balance approach is "a method of allocating a certain characteristic to a portion of a product in proportion to the amount of raw material with that characteristic input when a raw material with a certain characteristic is mixed with a raw material without that characteristic during the processing and distribution process from raw materials to products." 【0013】 The mass balance approach will be explained using Figures 2 and 3 as concrete examples. In the example in Figure 2, concentrates are supplied as minerals from mines A to D. Metal materials (for example, copper ingots) are then produced at a smelter. The yield is 98%. The produced metal materials are shipped to company A. The metal materials actually shipped contain a predetermined amount of copper from each of mines A to D. For example, the copper content of minerals from mine A is 20%, the copper content of minerals from mine B is 30%, the copper content of minerals from mine C is 20%, and the copper content of minerals from mine D is 30%. 【0014】Here, by adopting the mass balance method, as shown in Figure 3, the metal materials received by Company A can be treated as if they were manufactured solely from a specific mine (Mine B). Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2, but the configuration regarding the origin of the metal materials is different. Specifically, the metal materials shipped to Company A are treated as if they were manufactured entirely from concentrate derived from Mine B. The remaining metal materials (materials other than those shipped to Company A) are treated as originating from Mine A, Mine C, and Mine D. 【0015】 In this way, by employing the mass balance method, it is conceptually possible to provide metallic materials derived from specific minerals to specific destinations. This allows, for example, to provide metallic materials manufactured from minerals derived from mines with a low carbon footprint to specific destinations. 【0016】 1-3. Minerals The type of metal contained in the mineral used in the method of the present disclosure in one embodiment is not particularly limited. In one embodiment, the metal may be one or more of Fe, Al, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, and Pd. Preferably, the metal is Cu. 【0017】 1-4. Carbon Footprint The term "carbon footprint" (CFP) as used herein is defined in the "Carbon Footprint Guidelines" published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment in May 2023 as "an abbreviation for Carbon Footprint of Product. It is a numerical value displayed on a product or a system for displaying it, which is the equivalent of CO2 emissions obtained by converting the total amount of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions emitted throughout the entire lifecycle of a product or service, from raw material procurement to disposal and recycling." 【0018】In this disclosure, carbon footprint (CFP) is defined as "the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated during the cradle-to-gate stage of a product's lifecycle, converted to CO2 emissions, and expressed as a value per unit weight of the product." Note that, if necessary, the phrase "value per unit weight of the product" may be replaced with "value per unit number of products." 【0019】 Furthermore, if necessary, the phrase "value per unit weight of product" may be replaced with "value per unit weight of material input." For example, such a replacement may be made when managing the amount of carbon footprint associated with a particular process or treatment. Here, the material input may refer to the entire material, or to the amount of the target substance contained within the material. For example, if 1 ton of scrap contains 200 kg of Cu, the amount of carbon footprint per unit weight of the scrap may be managed, or the amount of carbon footprint per unit weight of Cu contained in the scrap may be managed. 【0020】 While the calculation of CFP is actually more complex, it has been simplified in this specification for the sake of clarity. Therefore, please understand that the scope of the invention disclosed herein is not limited by any particular method for calculating CFP. 【0021】 2. Execution Environment In one embodiment, the method of the Disclosure is executable by a computer program (computer software). In another embodiment, the Disclosure relates to such program, a medium storing the program, an apparatus comprising the program, and a method using the program. 【0022】The environment for executing the program and method is not particularly limited, and a typical information processing device (also known as a computing device) can be used. The information processing device (100) may typically include a processor (110), memory (120), a non-temporary storage medium (130), and a communication module (140), as shown in Figure 4. 【0023】 The information processing device (100) includes, but is not limited to, the following: a server, a personal computer, a tablet device, a smartphone, a smartwatch, smart glasses, etc. 【0024】 The program is stored in a non-temporary storage medium (130, e.g., HDD, SSD, etc.), loaded into memory (120, e.g., RAM, etc.) as needed, and executed by a processor (110, e.g., CPU, etc.). If necessary, the program can connect to a network via a communication module (140) to send and receive information. 【0025】 In one embodiment, the program may be installed as application software on an information processing device (100) and executed by the information processing device (100). 【0026】 In another embodiment, the number of information processing devices (100) is not limited to one, and multiple information processing devices (100) may be used as needed. In that case, the functions of the program may be distributed among multiple information processing devices (100). 【0027】Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, a system (200) configuration may be adopted in which a server (210) and a terminal (220) are interconnected via a network (e.g., the Internet, LAN, VPN, etc.). In this system (200), the terminal (220) may receive input from a user and transmit at least a portion of the received input to the server (210). The server (210) may receive the input information transmitted from the terminal (220), process the information, and transmit a portion of the output to the terminal (220). The terminal (220) may then receive the output information transmitted from the server (210) and display it on the terminal (220). 【0028】 Therefore, in another aspect, the Disclosure also relates to an information processing device including the Disclosure's program, and a system including said information processing device. In yet another aspect, the Disclosure relates to terminals and / or servers constituting the Disclosure's system. The internal configuration of the terminals and servers may be the same as that of the information processing device shown in Figure 4. In yet another aspect, the Disclosure relates to a storage medium storing the program (e.g., a non-temporary storage medium, e.g., a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium, e.g., an HDD, SSD, flash memory, optical disk, etc.). 【0029】 As shown in Figure 6, the system 200 described above may be connected to the terminal (300) of a mineral provider via a network (e.g., the Internet). The mineral provider corresponds to the parties involved in mines A to D in Figures 2 to 3. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the system 200 described above may also be connected to the terminal (310) of a metal material purchaser via a network (e.g., the Internet). The metal material purchaser corresponds to the parties involved in company A in Figures 2 to 3. 【0030】 This allows mineral resource providers to transmit information about the metal resources (e.g., minerals) they provide to a server (210) or terminal (220) within the system (200). 【0031】 The following sections will detail each of the processes described above. 【0032】3. Process for obtaining multiple minerals (First process) A smelter is a facility for manufacturing metal materials, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. In a smelter, raw materials for manufacturing metal materials are obtained. Raw materials are resources derived from minerals. For example, minerals may be ore itself, or concentrates, etc. It should be noted that the minerals described here have never been processed into products and are distinguished from the second metal resources described later in that they are so-called virgin materials. 【0033】 In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3 above, minerals (first metal resources) derived from multiple specific mines are used. However, if necessary, a second metal resource may be used in combination with the first metal resource to manufacture the metal material. The second metal resource satisfies one of the following two conditions: (Condition 1) It is a used article that is eligible for recycling, or (Condition 2) It is a scrap or waste material generated in the process of manufacturing the article. 【0034】 Examples of items related to Condition 1 include, but are not limited to, the following: electronic components; electronic circuit boards; waste electrical wires; household goods; copper piping; decorative items, etc. Examples of scraps or waste materials related to Condition 2 include, but are not limited to, the following: defective parts of ingots; scraps generated by cutting; press scraps; scraps, sludge, etc. generated by cutting and polishing. 【0035】 Furthermore, the second metal resource may be pre-treated by the supplier (including not only the person who directly or indirectly supplied the second metal resource to the smelter, but also the person who directly or indirectly supplied the second metal resource to the supplier) before being provided to the smelter. In other words, whether or not pre-treatment was performed before being provided to the smelter is not considered when determining whether the above conditions for the second metal resource are met. As part of this pre-treatment, for example, crushing or pulverizing may be carried out as appropriate to make it a size suitable for metal smelting. Alternatively, as part of the pre-treatment, for example, a process may be carried out to remove at least some of the substances other than those to be recovered. 【0036】In one example, the secondary metal resource is shipped from manufacturers, recyclers, waste collection companies, etc., and sent to a smelter. Alternatively, the secondary metal resource may be provided by an individual. 【0037】 The providers of the aforementioned minerals and / or secondary metal resources are not limited to one entity, but may be multiple entities. Furthermore, the providers of the aforementioned minerals and / or secondary metal resources may provide them directly to the smelter, or they may provide them indirectly through a third party. 【0038】 4. Mineral-related information is transmitted before, after, or in parallel with the process in which the terminal receives information related to minerals (second process) and the process in which the data update processing minerals are provided. For example, in the examples in Figures 2 and 3, multiple minerals (from mine A, mine B, mine C, and mine D) are provided. For example, the terminal may receive information about at least one specific mineral from among these multiple minerals (for example, information about the mineral from mine B). In one example, mineral-related information is transmitted from the mineral provider's terminal 300 shown in Figure 6 to the system 200 (for example, the server 210 and / or terminal 220 within the system 200). If the information is transmitted to the server 210, the terminal 220 further receives the information from the server. This information may include at least one of the information stored in the concentrate database described later. 【0039】 Information related to minerals may be stored in system 200 or in external storage connected to system 200 (e.g., a cloud server). For example, it may be stored in the concentrate database described later. 【0040】 When sending data from terminal 300 to server 210, for example, if server 210 functions as a web server, terminal 300 may send information about minerals via a browser. After receiving the information, server 210 can perform tasks such as updating its database. Server 210 can further send information about minerals, or information processed from such information, to terminal 220. 【0041】 When transmitting from the terminal 300 to the terminal 220, for example, the terminal 300 can transmit information related to minerals to the terminal 220 through means such as email (for example, attaching a file to the email, or transmitting information indicating a location in cloud storage accessible to both in the email). Then, the terminal 220 accesses the server 210 and transmits information related to minerals or information processed from the said information. And the server 210 can reflect the information received from the terminal 220 in a database or the like. 【0042】 The server 210 may be able to access several databases. The database may be provided within the server 210 (for example, within a storage medium possessed by the server 210). Alternatively, the database may exist in a cloud server outside the system 200. 【0043】 The database may include, for example, at least three types of databases as shown in FIG. 7. 【0044】 The concentrate database can store the above-mentioned information related to minerals. The concentrate database may be configured to store information related to one or more of the following items: information identifying the provider (for example, the country where mined, the name of the mine, the mining company, etc.), information identifying the type of mineral (for example, information identifying the form such as ore, concentrate, etc.), the quantity of the mineral, the grade of the metal, information on the CFP of the mineral, the lot for delivery, the date of receipt, etc. The information on the CFP of the mineral includes, for example, one or more of the following information: information on the CFP related to the pretreatment at the above-mentioned provider, and information on the CFP related to transportation. For example, examples of the treatment of minerals include mining of ore, crushing, grinding, flotation separation, etc. Also, examples of transportation include the following: transportation of the mined ore (for example, to the concentrator), transportation of the waste rock accompanying mining (for example, to the deposition site), transportation of the concentrated ore after beneficiation (for example, to the shipping port, to the smelter, etc.), transportation of the tailings (for example, to the tailings dam). 【0045】Information identifying the supplier, information identifying the type of mineral, the quantity of the mineral, the metal grade, and the CFP information of the mineral may be stored in the concentrate database for each delivery lot, for example. Furthermore, CFP information for minerals may be stored in the concentrate database in groups based on common units, such as when the CFP information is the same for the same supplier or the same for the same type of mineral. 【0046】 The concentrate database may be updated by the server 210 after it receives information about minerals, or information processed from such information, from terminal 220 or terminal 300, based on the information about minerals or information processed from such information. The information about minerals or information processed from such information may be based on information transmitted from terminal 300, or it may be based on new information added by analysis at the smelter or other facilities. As an example of the latter, after acquiring minerals, the quantity of minerals, metal grade, etc., may be analyzed at the smelter or other facilities. The analysis results may then be transmitted from terminal 220 to the server 210 as information about minerals. 【0047】 The smelter processing performance database can store information about the smelter's performance in manufacturing metal materials. For example, the smelter processing performance database may be configured to store information about one or more of the following items: the yield of the metal material manufacturing process (third process), the input of metal resources (e.g., minerals, the second metal resources mentioned above) into the third process by each supplier, the input of all metal resources into the third process regardless of supplier, the fuel or energy required for the third process, and the utilization of auxiliary materials (e.g., chilling agents) required for the third process. The input performance may include information about one or more of the following, for example: the quantity of metal resources input into the third process, the quantity of target metal contained in the metal resources input into the third process, the quantity of metal material manufactured corresponding to the quantity of metal resources input, and the lot number of the metal resources delivered. 【0048】The target product inventory management database can store information related to the metal materials manufactured at the smelter. For example, the target product inventory management database may be configured to store information related to one or more of the following items: the provider of the mineral, the CFP of the mineral, the amount of the manufactured metal material, the inventory expiration period of the metal material as a product, and the CFP of the metal material as a product. 【0049】 Note that a part of the metal materials manufactured by the smelter is treated as being manufactured only from metal resources derived from a specific type or multiple types of mines based on the mass balance approach. Thereby, the metal materials can be handled as being manufactured from minerals derived from mines where minerals with a low CFP can be obtained. And, based on the mass balance approach, metal materials with a low CFP can be shipped. 【0050】 The inventory expiration period of the metal material as a product means the period during which the metal material can be shipped as a product. The inventory expiration period of the metal material as a product is determined, for example, as a certain period (for example, one year) starting from the time of manufacture of the metal material. 【0051】 The CFP information of the metal material as a product may include both the CFP information of the process (the third process) for manufacturing the metal material and the CFP information of the mineral. By including both pieces of information, the CFP from when the mineral is manufactured into the metal material can be managed. 【0052】Information on the CFP of metal materials as products can be obtained by referring to the concentrate database and the smelter processing performance database. For example, the CFP information of metal resources (per unit weight of metal material) can be calculated by appropriately considering the quantity of minerals, metal grade, and CFP information of the minerals included in the concentrate database, as well as the yield of the metal material manufacturing process (third process) included in the smelter processing performance database. In addition, the CFP information of the third process (per unit weight of metal material) can be calculated by appropriately considering, for example, the total input of metal resources to the third process, the fuel or energy required for the third process, and the utilization of auxiliary materials (e.g., chilling agents) required for the third process, included in the smelter processing performance database. Then, by adding the two calculated values ​​(i.e., the CFP information of metal resources (per unit weight of metal material) and the CFP information of the third process (per unit weight of metal material)), the CFP information of the metal material as a product (per unit weight of the product) can be obtained. 【0053】 Information on the CFP of metal materials as products may be stored individually in the product inventory management database for each mineral supplier (e.g., type of mine). Even when storing CFP information for metal materials as products at a level other than the supplier, it is preferable to configure the product inventory management database so that CFP information for metal materials as products can be output for each supplier. 【0054】 If CFP information for a metal material as a product includes CFP information for minerals, the CFP information for the product will differ depending on the type of mineral (for example, the type of mine from which the mineral originates). By managing the CFP of each product individually, it is possible to manage the CFP from the metal resources supplied by each supplier to the manufacturing of the metal material. 【0055】 Furthermore, a portion of the target product inventory management database may be made accessible to purchasers of metal materials. For example, a purchaser of metal materials may access the server 210 via a network from a terminal 310 to view information on products available for purchase (e.g., the quantity of the product's shipment quota, the product's inventory validity period, the product's CFP, etc.). 【0056】 4-1. Calculation of Individual Shipment Slots In one particular embodiment, the calculation of shipment slots for multiple minerals is performed based at least on the updated concentrate database. For example, in the example shown in Figure 8 later, the calculation of shipment slots for each mineral origin is performed. The calculation of shipment slots may be performed on the server 210 or on the terminal 220. If performed on the terminal 220, the calculation results of the shipment slots may be transmitted from the terminal 220 to the server 210. In either case, the server 210 updates the quantity of metal material shipment slots related to a specific mineral from the information in the target product inventory management database based on the calculation results of the shipment slots. 【0057】 For example, the amount of metallic material produced from a specific mineral can be calculated by appropriately considering information that identifies the supplier (e.g., mine), the type of mineral, the quantity of the mineral, and the grade of the metal that constitutes the metallic material (for example, the grade of Cu when producing Cu ingots as a metallic material) included in the concentrate database. In this calculation, the yield included in the smelter processing performance database may be further considered as needed. The calculated amount of metallic material, or at least an amount based on it, is then reflected in the shipment quota for the specific mineral (e.g., for the specific mine). 【0058】For example, Figure 8 shows the case where 5 tons of concentrate from mine B are supplied. In this case, this information is stored in the concentrate database. Based on this information, the expected amount of metallic material to be obtained when concentrate from mine B is input is calculated. For example, assuming the production of copper ingots as the metallic material, the weight of the copper contained in the concentrate from mine B is calculated by multiplying the weight of the concentrate from mine B (5 tons) by the grade of copper. For example, if the grade of copper is 30%, the weight of copper in the concentrate from mine B will be 1.5 tons. This weight of copper in the concentrate from mine B may be used directly as the expected amount of metallic material obtained from the concentrate from mine B. Alternatively, the value obtained by multiplying this weight of concentrate from mine B by a correction factor may be used as the expected amount of metallic material. For example, the yield included in the smelter processing performance database may be further considered, and the expected amount of metallic material may be calculated by multiplying the weight of copper in the concentrate from mine B by the yield rate. Note that the correction factor does not have to be the same as the yield rate. Furthermore, the correction factor may be a unified value, or it may be a different value for each type of mineral for which a shipping quota is set. 【0059】 From the supplier identification information included in the concentrate database, it can be determined that the supplier of the concentrate in question is Mine B. If the calculated estimated quantity is 1.47 tons, the inventory management database for the target product can be updated, and the shipping quota for Mine B can be increased by 1.47 tons. 【0060】 Furthermore, when considering yield, it may be assumed that the yield is constant regardless of the mineral supplier. Alternatively, if the yield differs depending on the mineral supplier, the smelter processing performance database may be referenced based on the information identifying the type of mineral and / or the supplier included in the concentrate database, and the yield for each mineral type and supplier may be considered. 【0061】Furthermore, for a single mineral (in the example above, the mineral originating from mine B), it is not necessary for the calculated estimated quantity and the shipment quota to be exactly equal. The calculated estimated quantity may be adjusted as appropriate, taking various factors into consideration, and the target product inventory management database may be updated with the newly allocated shipment quota. However, preferably, the shipment quota should not exceed the calculated estimated quantity. In any case, the shipment quota described here will be an amount that at least depends on the amount that a particular mineral is expected to contribute to the manufacture of metal materials. Moreover, this shipment quota is treated as if it were manufactured from only a specific mineral (in the example in Figure 8, the mineral originating from mine B) out of multiple minerals (in the example in Figure 8, the mineral originating from mine A, the mineral originating from mine B, the mineral originating from mine C, and the mineral originating from mine D) (a shipment quota based on the mass balance approach described above). 【0062】 Furthermore, when receiving minerals from multiple suppliers, it is not necessary to allocate individual shipping slots to all suppliers; it is sufficient to allocate a shipping slot to at least one specific mineral from each supplier. For example, in the example in Figure 8, it is possible to allocate a shipping slot for mine B while not allocating individual shipping slots to the other mines. In such cases, although concentrates are supplied from mines A through D, the individual shipping slot updates may be carried out only for the shipping slot related to mine B. 【0063】 Metal materials from a shipment quota allocated to a specific mineral supplier may be shipped only to specific destinations. 【0064】 In the example shown in Figure 8, the metallic material from the shipment quota for minerals originating from mine B is shipped only to company A (or a party designated by company A). Since the smelter manufactures metallic material by mixing minerals provided from each mine, the metallic material shipped to company A is not actually made solely from minerals originating from mine B. However, the shipment quota for minerals originating from mine B is calculated based on the amount of that mineral that contributes to the manufacture of metallic material. And, conceptually, under the mass balance approach, company A can receive a supply of metallic material manufactured solely from minerals originating from mine B. 【0065】 In the example above, the shipping quota can be calculated before the minerals are introduced into the third process. Therefore, the shipping quota will depend at least on the amount of minerals expected to contribute to the production of the metal material. However, in another example, the shipping quota may be calculated after the minerals have been introduced into the third process, reflecting the actual amount introduced into the third process. In this case, the shipping quota will depend at least on the amount of minerals that have contributed to the production of the metal material. The case where the shipping quota is calculated after the production of the metal material will be discussed later ("6-1. Calculation of Individual Shipping Quotas"). 【0066】 5. Process for Manufacturing Metal Materials (Third Process) Using the minerals described above (and, if necessary, in combination with the second metal resource), metal materials are manufactured at the smelter. The smelter may perform appropriate pretreatment on the metal resources, etc. For example, metal resources may be crushed or otherwise processed to a size suitable for metal smelting. For example, metal resources may be processed to remove substances other than those to be recovered. If the smelter performs pretreatment, the pretreatment is also included in the third process. 【0067】 The type of metallic material is not particularly limited. For example, the metallic material may be one or more of the following: ingots, wires, foils, plates, powders, etc. The metallic material may also be, for example, electrolytic copper. Furthermore, the type of elements constituting the metallic material is not particularly limited. For example, the elements constituting the metallic material may be one or more of the following: Fe, Al, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, and Pd. 【0068】 The type of smelting method is not particularly limited. For example, the smelting method may be dry smelting or wet smelting (e.g., solvent extraction, precipitation separation, leaching, etc.). 【0069】6. Updating Manufacturing Data After completing the third step described above, manufacturing results can be entered through the terminal 220. The information regarding the entered manufacturing results can then be transmitted from the terminal 220 to the server 210. The server 210 may update the smelter processing results database based at least on the received information. The server 210 may also update the target product inventory management database based at least on the received information. 【0070】 The updates to the smelter processing performance database may include one or more of the following: yield in the current smelting process, individual metal resource input data for each supplier, overall metal resource input data, energy required for processing (including CFP), and material utilization data. 【0071】 Updates to the target product inventory management database may include one or more of the following: information identifying the source of minerals (e.g., information identifying the mine), CFP of the product, quantity of manufactured metal materials, inventory period of manufactured products, CFP associated with the third process, etc. 【0072】 Information identifying the source of minerals may be updated based on data from a concentrate database. The CFP associated with the third step may be calculated as a value per unit weight of the metal material by dividing the CFP incurred in the smelting process of the metal material (which may also include CFP incurred in pretreatment, if applicable) by the weight of the metal material produced. 【0073】 The CFP incurred in the third step may be the actual value at that time, but preferably, the average value over a certain period in the past (for example, the past year) may be used. 【0074】 6-1. Calculation of Individual Shipping Slots In another embodiment, the shipping slots may be calculated using a method different from the method described in "4-1. Calculation of Individual Shipping Slots". 【0075】In the calculation of shipment quotas described in "4-1. Calculation of Individual Shipment Quotas," the shipment quotas were calculated based on the amount of minerals expected to contribute to the production of metallic materials, using a concentrate database. In another embodiment, as described below, the shipment quotas are calculated after performing the third step described above, based on the amount of minerals that have contributed to the production of metallic materials. 【0076】 Let's explain using the example shown in Figure 9. In one of the databases mentioned above (for example, the concentrate database), we may manage the lots of concentrates that are provided. For example, as shown in Figure 9, concentrates may typically be provided multiple times even from the same supplier. Therefore, if concentrates are provided three times from the same mine B, we may assign a lot to each of them (X2 to X4). 【0077】 Furthermore, when updating the smelter processing performance database regarding manufacturing results, it may be possible to record which lot of concentrate was used in the current production. For example, in the example in Figure 9, it may be possible to record that concentrates from lots X1, X2, X4, X5, and X6 were used. 【0078】Furthermore, when updating the target product inventory management database, it may be possible to store which lot of concentrate the metal material of the target product originates from. For example, the metal material (Cu material) manufactured in Figure 9 is partially derived from concentrate supplied by mine B. Here, mine B provides concentrates from lots X2 to X4, of which lots X2 and X4 contribute to the manufacture of the metal material. Therefore, information on lots X2 and X4 is obtained from the concentrate database (e.g., quantity of concentrate, metal grade, etc.), and the amount contributed by lots X2 and X4 is calculated. Similar to the case in Figure 8, if the grade of Cu in the concentrate from mine B is 30%, the amount contributed by lots X2 and X4, that is, the weight of Cu in the concentrate from mine B, is 1.5 t ((1 + 4) × 30%). This weight of Cu in the concentrate from mine B may be used directly as the amount of metal material obtained from the concentrate of mine B (or the amount that the concentrate from mine B contributed to the manufacture of the metal material). Alternatively, the amount contributing to the production of metal materials may be calculated by multiplying the weight of Cu in the concentrate from mine B by a correction factor. For example, the yield included in the smelter processing performance database may be further considered, and the amount of metal materials produced may be calculated by multiplying the weight of Cu in the concentrate from mine B by the yield rate. The correction factor may be a unified value, a different value for each company, or it may differ for each lot of concentrate delivery, or it may differ for each lot of metal material production. 【0079】 After calculating that the amount of metal material contributed to the manufacturing process is 1.5 tons (or 1.47 tons if yield is considered), the inventory management database for the target product can be updated to increase the shipment quota for concentrate from mine B by 1.5 tons (or 1.47 tons if yield is considered). In addition, some of the methods described in "4-1. Calculation of Individual Shipment Quotas" may be applied when calculating the shipment quota (for example, it is not necessary for the calculated estimated amount and the shipment quota to be exactly equal, and when concentrate is supplied from multiple mines, it is not necessary to allocate shipment quotas for individual recycled products to all suppliers). 【0080】7. Calculation of CFP After manufacturing the metal material, the CFP related to the metal material is calculated. This calculation may be performed as one of the processes described in "6. Updating Manufacturing Data" above. The method for calculating CFP is not particularly limited. For example, CFP information related to concentrate (e.g., from a concentrate database) may be obtained, and further, CFP information associated with the manufacturing process (e.g., smelting process) (e.g., from a smelter processing performance database) may be obtained. Then, the CFP related to the metal material may be calculated based on the CFP from both. The acquisition and calculation of information may be performed as appropriate by the information processing device described above (e.g., server 210, terminal 220, etc.). For example, the server 210 may calculate various CFP information and transmit the calculation results to the terminal 220. In another example, the terminal 220 may calculate various CFP information and transmit the calculation results to the server 210. 【0081】 8. CFP Allocation After calculating the CFP, CFP is allocated to each individual metal material. Specifically, for a particular metal material, the CFP related to the mineral is allocated, based at least on information about the mine from which the mineral originates. 【0082】 Referring to the flow chart in Figure 8, a specific example of CFP calculation and allocation will be explained below. In Figure 8, 5 tons of concentrate are supplied to the smelter from each of mines A to D. The grade and CFP of each concentrate are as shown in Figure 8. When the smelter receives 1 ton of Cu as raw material and manufactures metal material from that material, it generates CO2 emissions equivalent to 0.39 t of CO2. 【0083】 Considering the yield, the amount of Cu metallic material produced is 4.9 tons, as shown in the following calculation: (5 tons × 20% + 5 tons × 30% + 5 tons × 20% + 5 tons × 30%) × 0.98 = (1 + 1.5 + 1 + 1.5) × 0.98 = 4.9 tons 【0084】The amount of CFP related to the metallic Cu material is 5.09 tCO2 / tCu, as shown in the following calculation (equivalent to 5.09 tCO2 per ton of metallic Cu). (CO2 emissions from raw materials + emissions from the smelter) / Cu production = (6.0 × 20% × 5t + 2.7 × 30% × 5t + 5.0 × 20% × 5t + 5.3 × 30% × 5t + 0.39 × (1 + 1.5 + 1 + 1.5)) / 4.9t = (6 + 4 + 5 + 8 + 1.96) / 4.9 = 5.09 tCO2 / tCu 【0085】 Therefore, if 1 ton of copper metal material is shipped to Company A, the CO2 emissions associated with that metal material will be equivalent to 5.09 tons of CO2. 【0086】 Here, we treat the Cu metallic material shipped to Company A as being manufactured solely from a specific mineral. For example, the Cu metallic material shipped to Company A can be treated as being manufactured solely from minerals originating from mine B. 【0087】 Here, the CFP of the Cu metallic material originating from each mine is as shown in Figure 8. For example, in the case of the CFP of the Cu metallic material originating from mine B, it is calculated based on at least the CFP of the concentrate itself and the CFP of the smelting process at the smelter. For example, the CO2 emissions from the concentrate itself originating from mine B are equivalent to 4 t of CO2 (2.7 × 30% × 5 t). The CO2 emissions from the smelting process at the smelter are equivalent to 0.59 t of CO2 (0.39 × 30% × 5 t). The sum of the two is equivalent to 4.59 t of CO2. 【0088】 Furthermore, considering the yield, the amount of concentrate derived from mine B that contributes to the Cu metallic material is 1.47 t (30% × 5 t × 0.98). 【0089】 Therefore, the CFP per ton of Cu metallic material derived from mine B is 3.12 tCO2 / tCu (4.59 tCO2 / 1.47 tCu). 【0090】 Furthermore, if the Cu metal material shipped to Company A is treated as being manufactured solely from minerals originating from Mine B, the CO2 emissions associated with said metal material would be equivalent to 3.12 tCO2. 【0091】Furthermore, the shipment quota may be set based on the amount of concentrate derived from mine B mentioned above that contributes to the Cu metallic material. For example, in the above example, the shipment quota for metallic material treated as being manufactured solely from minerals derived from mine B may be 1.47 t. Alternatively, the shipment quota may be adjusted by multiplying this value by an appropriate correction factor. 【0092】 The above calculation method is merely one example, and various other calculation methods are possible. In the above example, the unit of CFP is expressed as the amount of CO2 equivalent per ton of Cu contained in the mineral. In another example, the unit of CFP may be expressed as the amount of CO2 equivalent per ton of mineral. In yet another example, the unit of CFP may be expressed as the amount of CO2 equivalent per ton of metal material produced. 【0093】 Furthermore, the calculation method for CFP may be changed as appropriate depending on the way the units of CFP are expressed. For example, Figure 10 shows similar content to Figure 8, but the way the units of CFP are expressed is different, and consequently, the calculation method is also different. For example, since the denominator of the CFP unit is the amount of concentrate instead of the amount of Cu, the amount of CO2 emissions from the minerals originating from mine B is equivalent to 4 t CO2 (0.8 t CO2 / t concentrate × 5 t). The minerals originating from mine B contain 1.5 t Cu (5 t × 30%). Considering the yield, the amount of Cu obtained is 1.47 t (1.5 t × 0.98). Therefore, the amount of concentrate contributing to the CO2 equivalent per ton of electrolytic copper shipped is 2.72 t CO2 / t electrolytic copper. Adding the CFP from the smelting process to this, the CO2 equivalent per ton of electrolytic copper shipped becomes 3.12 t (2.72 + 0.4). 【0094】 Therefore, if 1 ton of electrolytic copper is shipped to Company A, and it is assumed that the shipped electrolytic copper is produced solely from concentrate originating from Mine B, the CO2 equivalent per ton of electrolytic copper will be 3.12 tCO2. 【0095】9. Acquisition of Shipping Slot Information (Fourth Process and Other Processes) After the server 210 calculates the individual shipping slots using the method described above, the terminal 220 can receive information regarding the individual shipping slots. This allows the terminal 220 to confirm the individual shipping slots generated by the current smelting process. Furthermore, the terminal 220 can confirm information regarding past individual shipping slots, and / or the total shipping slots obtained by adding the individual shipping slots generated by the current smelting process to the past individual shipping slots. For example, in the example in Figure 2, assuming a yield of 100% and that all supplied Cu is reflected in the shipping slots, 1.2t is the individual shipping slot related to the concentrate from mine B and generated by the current smelting process. 【0096】 As mentioned repeatedly, the shipment quota is not a shipment quota for metal materials partially derived from specific concentrates as shown in Figure 2, but rather a shipment quota for metal materials that are 100% derived from specific minerals (i.e., metal materials treated as being manufactured solely from specific minerals) as shown in Figure 3. 【0097】 10. Shipping Process (5th Step) After manufacturing the metal materials, the smelter can ship the metal materials according to customer orders. When an order is received and / or when a shipment is made, terminal 220 may transmit order information and / or shipping information to server 210. Alternatively, regarding orders, terminal 310 may access server 210 and send order information directly. In that case, server 210 may transmit the order information to terminal 220. The user of terminal 220 can then confirm the order details. 【0098】 When server 210 receives order information and / or shipping information, it may update the target product inventory management database. For example, server 210 may update information indicating that an order has been allocated to a portion of the shipping quota for manufactured metal materials, and / or that the materials have been shipped. 【0099】Server 210 may update the target product inventory management database upon receiving order information and / or shipping information. For example, server 210 may also perform a process to record shipped items according to the quantity of metal material shipped as products. 【0100】 The above describes specific embodiments of the invention. The above embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the technical features disclosed in one of the above embodiments can be applied to other embodiments. Also, unless otherwise specified, for a particular method, it is possible to change the order of some steps and other steps, and further steps may be added between two specific steps. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. 【0101】 11. Computer System In one embodiment, the disclosure may be carried out by a computer system. The system may include at least one server and at least one terminal. Each step may be performed on either the server and / or the terminal. 【0102】 For example, the method may include the following steps: (1) a step in which the terminal receives information relating to a specific mineral among several acquired minerals, the information including the carbon footprint of the specific mineral; (2) a step in which the terminal receives from the server information regarding a shipment quota for a metal material that will be treated as being made solely from the specific mineral when the metal material is manufactured using the mineral as at least as a raw material, the shipment quota depending on the amount that the specific mineral has contributed to, or is expected to contribute to, the manufacture of the metal material; and (3) a step in which the server, when shipping the manufactured metal material, assigns a value calculated based on the carbon footprint of the specific mineral to the carbon footprint of the metal material within the scope of the shipment quota. 【0103】 For example, step (1) above may include performing any of the processing steps described in section "4. The process of the terminal receiving information related to minerals (second step), and data update processing." 【0104】For example, step (2) above may include performing the processing described in either section "6. Updating manufacturing data" or "9. Obtaining shipping slot information (Step 4 and other steps)". 【0105】 For example, step (3) above may include carrying out the processing described in any of the following sections: "7. Calculation of CFP", "8. Allocation of CFP", "9. Acquisition of shipping slot information (Step 4 and other steps)", and "10. Shipping processing (Step 5)". 【0106】 Potential Contribution to the SDGs According to one embodiment of the present invention, it may be possible to promote the use of low CFP metal materials. This may lead to mitigating the impacts of climate change. For this reason, one embodiment of the present disclosure may contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts,” and / or Goal 12, “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.” 【0107】 100 Information processing device 110 Processor 120 Memory 130 Non-temporary storage medium 140 Communication module 200 System 210 Server 220 Terminal 300 Terminal for mineral suppliers 310 Terminal for metal material buyers

Claims

1. A method for managing minerals, comprising: (1) a step of acquiring a plurality of minerals; (2) a step of a terminal receiving information relating to a particular mineral among the plurality of minerals, wherein the information includes the carbon footprint of the particular mineral; (3) a step of manufacturing a metallic material using the mineral as at least as a raw material; (4) a step of a terminal receiving information from a server regarding a shipment quota for the metallic material to be treated as being manufactured solely from the particular mineral, wherein the shipment quota depends on the amount that the particular mineral has contributed to, or is expected to contribute to, the manufacture of the metallic material; and (5) a step of shipping the metallic material within the scope of the shipment quota, by assigning a value calculated based on the carbon footprint of the particular mineral to the carbon footprint of the metallic material.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the plurality of minerals includes obtaining minerals derived from each of the plurality of mines, and the particular mineral is a mineral derived from a particular mine among the plurality of mines.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the allocation includes allocating a plurality of identical metal materials produced in the same smelting process such that the amount of carbon footprint allocated to a particular metal material is relatively low.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metallic material is a metallic material composed of Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, and Pd.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metal material is electrolytic copper.

6. A method for producing a metallic material that is treated as being produced solely from the specific minerals, using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising assigning to a metallic material a value calculated based on the carbon footprint of the specific mineral.

8. A method for managing minerals, the method being carried out by a computer system, the system comprising at least one server and at least one terminal, the method comprising: (1) the step of the terminal receiving information relating to a specific mineral among a plurality of acquired minerals, the information including the carbon footprint of the specific mineral; (2) the step of the terminal receiving from the server information regarding a shipment quota for a metal material that will be treated as being made solely from the specific mineral when the metal material is manufactured using the mineral as at least as a raw material, wherein the shipment quota depends on the amount that the specific mineral has contributed to, or is expected to contribute to, the manufacture of the metal material; and (3) the step of the server performing a process to allocate a value calculated based on the carbon footprint of the specific mineral to the carbon footprint of the metal material within the scope of the shipment quota when shipping the manufactured metal material.

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