Canada Nickel Company has initiated an exciting in-situ carbon sequestration pilot at its Crawford Nickel Project in Ontario, collaborating with the University of Texas at Austin and the U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E program. This project aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through innovative methods of carbon capture and storage.
The one-month pilot program will inject carbon-enriched water into a deep well within the project site. This follows promising bench-scale studies conducted under Dr. Estibalitz Ukar. According to these studies, the mineral brucite found in the Crawford region can capture CO2 and transform it into stable minerals like magnesite and nesquehonite. Importantly, the CO2 can start converting to rock within hours of injection, with most solidifying in about six months.
Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting its potential to enhance processing efficiency and reduce costs. Dr. Ukar praised Canada Nickel’s commitment to innovative and responsible mining practices, underscoring the importance of this project in addressing climate change on a global scale.
The push for sustainable mining is growing. The World Bank and other organizations emphasize the importance of such initiatives as the world shifts toward cleaner energy. According to a recent report, carbon capture technologies could help cut industrial emissions by 15% by 2040. Social media conversations around mining and sustainability are on the rise, reflecting a growing public interest in ecological issues.
This pilot initiative is separate from Canada Nickel’s existing IPT Carbonation Program. The goal is to inform future strategies for carbon sequestration post-mining, ultimately contributing to the creation of a Zero-Carbon Industrial Cluster in Timmins, Ontario.
As the industry evolves, the collaboration of research institutions with mining companies could pave the way for innovations that not only meet resource demands but also safeguard the environment, making a lasting impact on sustainable mining practices.
For more details on the project, visit Canada Nickel’s official site at www.canadanickel.com.
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University of Texas at Austin, carbon sequestration, Estibalitz Ukar, Canada, Industrial Cluster, CO2 storage
