Dr Dia Milani

Oral presentation: Closing the Carbon Loop in the Mining Sector: A Solar-Integrated Mineralisation Paradigm

When: Monday October 26, 4:20pm – 6pm; Session 3E – CDR on the rocks

Dia Milani

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Abstract opening:
Achieving global net-zero emissions targets is expected to intensify demand for critical energy-transition minerals, with consumption projected to triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040. This rapid expansion in mineral extraction and beneficiation is amplifying the generation of mining waste streams (including tailings, flotation sludges, and gangue minerals) alongside escalating energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The mining industry processes millions of tonnes of various ores annually, of which > 95% is dumped as waste rocks or mine tailings. It is estimated that >100 Gt/y of solid wastes is produced worldwide as from the primary production of mineral and metal commodities. Addressing these intertwined challenges requires transformative technologies capable of simultaneously managing waste, reducing emissions, and supporting low-carbon mineral production. Accelerated mineral carbonation (AMC), imitating nature’s rock weathering to convert alkaline minerals into stable carbonates
has gradually emerged as an engineered route of interest. However, AMC’s high thermal energy requirements and process economics currently limit its widespread adoption. This study introduces an integrated system combining solar-thermal energy, AMC, and direct air capture (DAC) to reduce GHG emissions and mitigate the environmental burden of mine tailings…

An article on Dr Milani is available here: Meet the researcher: Dr Dia Milani