Colorado-based diversified miner Newmont has partnered with the US Department of Energy (DoE) to explore a rapid electrochemical mineralisation to form dolomite (REMineD) approach for sequestering carbon in mine tailings.

This three-year $4.38-million research and development project will see Newmont as the primary mining partner working with the department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory as the project lead.

The project will be co-funded by the DoE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Technology Commercialisation Fund, as well as non-federal cost-share partners.

Multiple partners and research institutes will be involved, including the University of California, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Newmont believes the REMineD development will help advance the development of carbon dioxide (CO₂) removal technologies, which will be integral to meeting global climate goals.

The US-headquartered gold, silver, zinc, copper and lead miner is targeting carbon neutrality by 2050.

Sequestered carbonate materials can be converted into durable products that replace CO₂-intensive concrete used in construction. Therefore, dolomite or pozzolans such as silica, produced through the REMineD process, can reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

Newmont processing director Frank Roberto says carbon capture, utilisation and sequestration supports a long-term direction for the mining industry.

“Waste rock and tailings are the largest component of residues from our mining operations, and the work for direct air capture of CO₂ through tailings carbonisation provides a unique opportunity to reduce our and others’ emissions through the value chain,” he adds.

The resources developed by REMineD can be deployed on site at remote mining locations. Using this process will result in faster and more efficient ways to develop dolomite aggregate from a wide variety of tailings and ensure additional revenue streams from further recovery of valuable rare-earth elements and the production of sustainable building materials.