Unveiling Mechanisms of Mineral Carbonation of Mine Tailings: Characterizing Crystalline and Amorphous Phase Evolution for Carbon Sequestration (2026)
Abstract
Australian mining operations generate 50-70 million tonnes of tailings annually, posing significant environmental and financial risks. Current remediation technologies, such as lime neutralization have high operational costs and carbon intensities. This study evaluates an integrated mineral carbonation strategy for Ellendale mine tailings, using microbe-activated lixiviants to sequester CO2 as stable carbonates (e.g., calcite, magnesite, nesquehonite, dolomite). The research aims to quantify crystalline and amorphous phases and determine precipitate crystallinity across various reaction time-points. Ultimately, these findings will optimize reaction kinetics to transform hazardous waste into carbon-sequestering minerals.
