Alrosa has completed the first phase of a study into kimberlite’s ability to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. The study is set to last until 2023. Preliminary studies undertaken by Alrosa along with Russia’s leading research centres have shown a degree of interaction between kimberlite and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The discovery of kimberlite ore’s ability to absorb carbon has created the opportunity for diamond mining companies to advance climate initiatives involving CO2 capture and storage.

Mikhail Dubovichev, Head of Alrosa’s Innovation and Technology Center, said, “The studies on original diamond ore samples are set to continue until 2023, and we are planning to engage leading geochemical and geological research centres in the process. If future research confirms the preliminary data found, we will have established significant potential for compensating greenhouse gas emissions in diamond mining through the ore’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This discovery could mark a new step in the efforts to preserve our planet’s ecosystem.”

The initial results show that the CO2 absorption potential is comparable to, and in some scenarios, can be several times greater than the carbon dioxide emissions of the entire Alrosa Group. Preliminary results, therefore, indicate that CO2 absorption by kimberlite in the Udachnaya pipe could be as high as 80 kg per ton of processed ore, which is almost four times greater than the diamond mining industry’s average annual CO2 emissions.

Polina Anisimova, Chief ecologist at Alrosa, added, “Transport and power generation are the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in diamond mining. Alrosa Group currently generates around 90% of its power from renewable sources, while its logistics function is replacing traditional liquid fuel with natural gas, enabling a structural reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. However, achieving carbon neutrality today merely by upgrading existing production processes is challenging. Alrosa’s ambitious carbon neutrality goals can only be met through a combined approach that also includes absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and offset measures.”

Graphic courtesy Alrosa