Zivi and Justin attended the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Convention (CIM) in Montreal - Building trust to decarbonize the world. They presented research on how enhanced weathering and CO2 mineralization of mine wastes can be used to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions in the mining industry. Zivi showed off her experimental plots that she is using to measure CO2 removal rates through enhanced weathering of kimberlite residues, and Justin presented his work on accelerating brucite carbonation through organic-inorganic carbon cycling. Their presentations were very well received by academics and industry attendees alike. Great job representing the team!
American Chemical Society Spring Meeting
The PowerGeolab presented at the American Chemical Society - Crossroads of Chemistry in the Geochemistry for CO2 Capture, Conversion and Sequestration session. Kwon, Lance, Justin and myself shared our research on enhanced weathering of wollastonite, calcium oxide carbonation, and CO2 mineralization of brucite-bearing serpentinites. This research is exciting and at the forefront of geochemical carbon dioxide removal field. A great session and conference, very much appreciate the invitation to share our research. Proud of the team from the PowerGeolab at Trent University!
New publication in Applied Geochemistry
The Mount Keith Nickel Mine in Western Australia were Wilson et al. (2014) determine CO2 removal rates using quantitative X-ray diffraction and Paulo et al. (2023) confirmed these rates using geochemical modelling.
Carlos published his study entitled Geochemical modeling of CO2 sequestration in ultramafic mine wastes from Australia, Canada, and South Africa: Implications for carbon accounting and monitoring. In this study, we used existing mine site water chemistry and inverse geochemical modelling to determine CO2 removal rates at the Mount Keith nickel mine, and Diavik and Venetia diamond mines. This tool can be used to monitor CO2 removal throughout the mine’s life, including when different ores are mined. Furthermore, mining companies can make modifications to their tailings management practices and assess the impacts on CO2 removal.
Field pilot at Venetia
Carlos and Kwon went to the Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa to conduct a large-scale enhanced weathering experiment, testing depositions of fine kimberlite residues to optimize carbon removal. They also conducted a CO2 flux survey on the fine residue impoundments to identify optimal conditions for carbon removal under current deposition practices. Excellent work team! This research is part of Project CarbonVault with the goal of reducing the net greenhouse gas emissions at De Beers’ mines.
New publication in PloS Biology
Written by Jenine McCutcheon at the University of Waterloo and Ian Power. The climate crisis and rising demand for critical minerals necessitate the development of novel carbon dioxide removal and ore processing technologies. Microbial processes can be harnessed to recover metals from and store carbon dioxide within mine tailings to transform the mining industry for a greener and more sustainable future.
Published in PLoS Biology.
AGU 2022
Kwon attended the American Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meeting online 2022, presenting our research on the potential and limitations of metal-oxide looping technology for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). There is an increasing research interest in CDR technologies, bringing multidisciplinary researchers to develop new technologies and overcome prohibiting fundamental and applied challenges in existing technologies. Exciting to see researchers trying creative ways to indirectly monitor and verify the fate of carbon in enhanced weathering from lab- and pilot-scale experiments.
7th Annual International Institute of Environmental Studies (IIES) Workshop in Vietnam
Ian attended the 7th Annual International Institute of Environmental Studies (IIES) Science and Policy Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He presented the PowerGeolab’s research on Mineral Weathering for CO2 Removal. A great experience, many interesting people, and very welcoming hosts in Vietnam. Thank you to the organizers. Following the workshop, the IIES Graduate Student Forum was held on Phú Quốc Island. We went snorkelling to explore the beautiful coral reefs. Thanks to all the energetic graduate students that make being a professor that much more fun!
Clinton Creek Chrysotile Mine
As part of our August fieldwork, Justin, Ian, Duncan, and Carlos visited the Clinton Creek chrysotile mine situated northwest of Dawson City, YT. Since the mine’s closure more than four decades ago, the tailings have become physically cemented by Mg-carbonate minerals. As part of Justin’s Master's thesis, we collected cemented mine tailings to better understand the formation pathways of these mineral cements, as well as how Mg-carbonates can be used to sequester CO2, stabilize, and remediate mine wastes. Key information obtained from these samples will contribute to a comparative study of cementation within chrysotile and kimberlite mine wastes. A huge thanks to everyone involved!
Magnesium carbonate playas of Atlin, British Columbia
Justin, Duncan, Carlos and Ian visited the hydromagnesite-magnesite playas of Atlin, BC, Ian’s favourite field site! We worked alongside colleagues Sasha and Maija from The University of Alberta and Jenine and Decla from The University of Waterloo. Also, we met with Nat and Ed from The University of Winnipeg. We’re all very keen on learning about biosignatures in carbonates, mineral transformation reactions, and microbial carbonate precipitation. The Atlin playas are a fantastic place to learn about all those things! Our primary focus was collecting samples of aragonite that contain microfossils. This calcium carbonate mineral is commonly found in Mg-carbonate systems. It is a better medium for biosignature preservation due to its fast precipitation rates, relative stability, and ability to lithify. Thanks to everyone for making this an excellent trip!
Goldschmidt 2022
The PowerGeolab had a fantastic Goldschmidt 2022 in Honolulu, Hawaii! Carlos, Amanda, Kwon, and Zivi presented their research, including our De Beers related field experiments, challenges using isotopes for carbon verification, carbon dioxide removal using MgO, and enhanced rock weathering. We presented in several sessions during a great week of science. Wonderful seeing colleagues in person from all over the world, especially those from the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia. Looking forward to Goldschmidt 2023 in Lyon, France!