A new research project from diamond mining company De Beers Group may make carbon-neutral mining a reality in as little as five years. The firm’s scientists are partnering with external experts to research the possibility of storing large amounts of carbon at its diamond mines in kimberlite tailings.
Some types of rocks, such as kimberlite, naturally react with carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere and trap it inside the material—a process called mineral carbonation. Scientists are hoping to speed the process up artificially. The project marks the first time extensive research will assess the carbonation potential of kimberlite, a rare type of rock that has ideal properties for storing carbon.
“The research is in its early stages and it may take some time before it is economically or practically achievable to tap into this full storage potential,” project lead Dr. Evelyn Mervine says. “However, even just tapping into a small amount could greatly reduce the net emissions at many of our mine sites in the near future, and possibly lead to carbon-neutral mining at some sites within the next five to ten years.”
Read the full article at Australian Mining