1108
Down the Data Drain: How Can We Utilize Quarry Data for
Environmental Assessment?
Christina Lee, Gauti Asbjörnsson, Magnus Evertsson
Chalmers University of Technology
ABSTRACT: Utilization of the vast amount of data collected from quarries is low and usually only benefits
immediate operators. On top of that, gathering data for environmental assessments, like Life Cycle Assessment
(LCA) studies, is time-consuming and difficult, requiring data from multiple sources. Since much of the site-
specific LCA data is already collected by other systems in the quarry, automated data sharing can improve
efficiency. Using the case study of the European Horizon 2020 project, DigiEcoQuarry, challenges with data
integration are explored in the context of the aggregates sector that are critical for data sharing facilitation in
the future.
Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Management, Digitalization, Industry 4.0, Data
Interoperability, Data Integration
INTRODUCTION
With the rise of Industry 4.0, new technologies like
Internet of Things (IoT), big data, simulation, and cloud
computing are suggested to bring increased productivity
and efficiency for production chains (Nascimento et al.,
2019). Despite the suggested benefits of Industry 4.0, it is
not without its challenges, particularly for heavy industries
like mining, as well as for SMEs which still dominate the
aggregates sector (Smith &Sepasgozar, 2022). The mining
and construction sectors are seen to be lagging behind other
sectors in implementing digital transformations (Smith &
Sepasgozar, 2022 Young &Rogers, 2019). One area iden-
tified where Industry 4.0 can particularly help the mining
sector is the underutilization of data created in mining
companies (Herman et al., 2018). Further, Industry 4.0
is expected to contribute to improved environmental sus-
tainability through functions like innovation, emission
reduction, improved efficiency, and improved environmen-
tal awareness (Ghobakhloo, 2020). This can be seen as a
call to action to mining sectors to move towards Industry
4.0 and reap the potential benefits it can offer.
To answer this call to action for Industry 4.0 tech-
nologies in extraction operations, the European Horizon
2020 project, DigiEcoQuarry (DEQ), is investigating
and developing an Intelligent Quarrying System (IQS)
for incorporating Industry 4.0 technologies with sector
specific methods and technologies. The project focuses
on aggregate producers and covers health and safety, envi-
ronmental, social, and productivity aspects of the modern
quarry. In the environmental work within the project, the
implementation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at the sites
is being deployed through further development of a web-
based industry specific tool known as Plantsmith. LCA is a
data and resource intensive practice where technologies like
Down the Data Drain: How Can We Utilize Quarry Data for
Environmental Assessment?
Christina Lee, Gauti Asbjörnsson, Magnus Evertsson
Chalmers University of Technology
ABSTRACT: Utilization of the vast amount of data collected from quarries is low and usually only benefits
immediate operators. On top of that, gathering data for environmental assessments, like Life Cycle Assessment
(LCA) studies, is time-consuming and difficult, requiring data from multiple sources. Since much of the site-
specific LCA data is already collected by other systems in the quarry, automated data sharing can improve
efficiency. Using the case study of the European Horizon 2020 project, DigiEcoQuarry, challenges with data
integration are explored in the context of the aggregates sector that are critical for data sharing facilitation in
the future.
Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Management, Digitalization, Industry 4.0, Data
Interoperability, Data Integration
INTRODUCTION
With the rise of Industry 4.0, new technologies like
Internet of Things (IoT), big data, simulation, and cloud
computing are suggested to bring increased productivity
and efficiency for production chains (Nascimento et al.,
2019). Despite the suggested benefits of Industry 4.0, it is
not without its challenges, particularly for heavy industries
like mining, as well as for SMEs which still dominate the
aggregates sector (Smith &Sepasgozar, 2022). The mining
and construction sectors are seen to be lagging behind other
sectors in implementing digital transformations (Smith &
Sepasgozar, 2022 Young &Rogers, 2019). One area iden-
tified where Industry 4.0 can particularly help the mining
sector is the underutilization of data created in mining
companies (Herman et al., 2018). Further, Industry 4.0
is expected to contribute to improved environmental sus-
tainability through functions like innovation, emission
reduction, improved efficiency, and improved environmen-
tal awareness (Ghobakhloo, 2020). This can be seen as a
call to action to mining sectors to move towards Industry
4.0 and reap the potential benefits it can offer.
To answer this call to action for Industry 4.0 tech-
nologies in extraction operations, the European Horizon
2020 project, DigiEcoQuarry (DEQ), is investigating
and developing an Intelligent Quarrying System (IQS)
for incorporating Industry 4.0 technologies with sector
specific methods and technologies. The project focuses
on aggregate producers and covers health and safety, envi-
ronmental, social, and productivity aspects of the modern
quarry. In the environmental work within the project, the
implementation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at the sites
is being deployed through further development of a web-
based industry specific tool known as Plantsmith. LCA is a
data and resource intensive practice where technologies like