Geological carbon storage processes in mining waste from basic and ultrabasic rocks: Implications for a safe energy transition with carbon neutrality

• Grant number: 24/21286-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Colombo Celso Gaeta Tassinari
• Grantee: Bárbara Bueno Toledo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Energia e Ambiente (IEE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP)
• Associated research grant: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I, AP.PCPE

Abstract

The sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) through mineral carbonation has significant potentialto help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by permanently storing carbon in the form of stablecarbonates. Basaltic mining waste shows great promise for CO2 storage via mineralcarbonation, a technique that captures carbon dioxide and converts it into stable carbonatedminerals, such as calcite, magnesite, and siderite. These wastes are rich in reactive mineralscontaining calcium, magnesium, and iron, which, when reacting with CO2, form stablecompounds that permanently immobilize the carbon. Utilizing such waste can transformenvironmental liabilities into a climate mitigation solution, helping reduce greenhouse gasemissions. Additionally, using mining waste in carbon sequestration processes can be integratedinto the circular economy, promoting material reuse while adding economic and environmentalvalue. This approach could be particularly viable in regions rich in basalt, such as the SerraGeral Formation, which contains thick layers of tholeiitic and andesitic basalts with favorableconditions for mineralization. These rocks exhibit high reactivity with CO2 dissolved in water,accelerating reactions that result in the formation of carbonated minerals. Mining waste andresidues from ore processing can be used to store CO2 captured directly from the atmosphereor from nearby emission sources. (AU)