Abstract
This study is to propose an evaluation method for resource scarcity using thermodynamic approach. In this study, exergy rent of resource usage is used as a measure for resource scarcity. Based on historical data, the cut-off ore grades, cumulative productions of several minerals, and exergy rent of resource usage could be estimated for different target-time-horizons such as 25, 50, and 100 years. The values of exergy rent are used as characterization values for resource safeguard subjects in LCIA methods.
