Logistics sustainability strategies based on Life Cycle Analysis and Environmental Costing: Peru-Asia mining exports

Resumen

The growing Asian demand for Peruvian minerals has intensified international logistics and its environmental impacts. This study evaluates the sustainability of mining exports to Asia by integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), per ISO 14040–14044 standards, with Environmental Activity-Based Costing (ABC Environmental). The results identify maritime transport as the primary critical stage, accounting for 75–82% of greenhouse gas emissions, 73–78% of energy consumption, and 78–82% of total environmental costs. Land transport shows a moderate contribution, while port operations remain marginal at 2.6–4.5% of total emissions. Scenario analysis indicates that adopting alternative marine fuels could reduce emissions by 18–22%; however, this increases environmental costs by USD 40–120 per ton, revealing a significant trade-off between environmental performance and economic feasibility. The study concludes that the sustainability of Peru’s mining logistics depends primarily on maritime decarbonization and improved efficiency in land and port operations. The integration of LCA and ABC-Environmental models provides a robust framework for strategic decision-making toward more efficient and responsible supply chains.