Aqueous mineral carbonation of ultramafic material: a pre-requisite to integrate into mineral extraction and tailings management operation

Ex situ aqueous mineral carbonation of ultramafic mining waste is an evolving technology for the CO2 sequestration from small- to medium-scale emitters. The mineral ores or mine wastes of associated ultramafic mineralogy are a suitable feedstock for mineral carbonation. The aqueous mineral carbonation at ambient temperature is motivating and attractive from an energy-saving perspective. This study has investigated the CO2 sequestration potential of a locally available ultramafic material generated from a nickel ore mine with a futuristic scope of integrating the method into an ongoing mineral extraction and/or tailing management operation. The mineral characterization and experimental results indicate that the tested material has CO2 sequestration potential and underwent carbonation at ambient temperature. The carbonate conversion efficiencies obtained for Ca and Mg from the dissolved ionic forms at optimum conditions are 60% and 25%, respectively. The material was able to sequestrate about 0.12 gCO(2) per g solid at this efficiency. Aragonite and hydromagnesite are the major products that evolved out from the aqueous carbonation. Based on the mineral carbonation results, the novel concept of integrating the evolved method to existing mineral extraction and/or tailings management operation is discussed.

Automated summary

Ex situ aqueous mineral carbonation of ultramafic mining waste is a promising technology for CO2 sequestration, especially from small- to medium-scale emitters. The locally available ultramafic material shows potential for sequestering CO2 and producing aragonite and hydromagnesite as major products through aqueous mineral carbonation at ambient temperature. The method could potentially be integrated into existing mineral extraction and tailings management operations.