Carbon Neutral Diamond Mining

De Beers Group’s research into a process that could possibly lead to carbon-neutral diamond mining has just received a grant in the amount of CAD 675,000 from Natural Resources Canada’s Clean Growth Program. Natural Resources Canada is a ministry of the Canadian government.

The project, first announced two years ago, involves injecting carbon dioxide into processed kimberlite rock in order to accelerate the naturally occurring process of mineral carbonation. During that process, the kimberlite tailings can change the carbon dioxide into a stable and benign carbonate mineral.

Kimberlite has enough storage capability that only 10% of its storage potential would need to be harnessed to capture the carbon dioxide emissions of a whole mine.

While laboratory experiments have already proved successful, the grant will support larger-scale field demonstrations at De Beers’ Gahcho Kué mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada. A similar test is being undertaken at a De Beers Group mine in Botswana.