Abstract: Limestone feedstock is widely applied for desulphurization in coal-fired power plants because of its low purchase
cost. In order to avoid the resource depletion and ecosystem degradation，and，it is necessary to quantify the ecological cost
of using limestone in power plant desulfurization process from a sustainable development level，which can intuitively
display the disadvantages of white mud disposal and limestone desulfurization in the paper industry. The ecological value of
limestone mines and the environmental problems in ore extraction are introduced，the ecological cost of limestone ore
mining is calculated by replacement cost method .The significance of replacing the limestone by white mud is demonstrated
from the clean production and circular economy，and it will ensure the enterprises' efficient management and provide a
new concept for reducing the high-concentrated pollutant emission.

Key words: white mud desulfurization, limestone, replacement cost method, circular economy, clean production, solid wastes