How captured CO2 could help mine carbon-negative nickel | New Scientist
Key Idea: Carbon-Negative Nickel Mining
A new method proposes using underground carbon dioxide injection to simultaneously store atmospheric CO2 and extract nickel, a critical metal for clean energy technologies. This process involves injecting CO2 into olivine-rich rocks, where it mineralizes, permanently removing it from the atmosphere.
The Process
The process focuses on deep-hole mining techniques. This approach aims to keep unwanted materials underground while selectively extracting valuable metals. The result is a dual benefit: carbon sequestration and metal extraction.
Benefits
- Permanent CO2 removal from the atmosphere.
- Extraction of nickel, crucial for clean energy technologies.
- Sustainable mining practice with reduced environmental impact.
Researcher
Quin Miller at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a key researcher in this field.
Injecting carbon dioxide into rocks deep underground can turn the planet-warming gas into mineral form, permanently keeping it out of the atmosphere. Now, researchers say it may be possible to use the same process to simultaneously extract key metals used in clean electricity technology.
“By doing this surgical mining and doing things deep down-hole, we’re able to keep what we don’t want down there, and bring up the stuff we want,” says Quin Miller at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Washington state.…
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