Initial Report Now Available: Carbon Mineralization Potential for BC

Vancouver, BC – November 3, 2020 – An initial report from a minerals research project assessing the potential for rocks in British Columbia to capture and store the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) is now available through the Geoscience BC website.

The Carbon Mineralization Potential for BC project assesses the potential for ultramafic rocks in BC to naturally bind atmospheric CO2 (using magnesium-rich minerals that are found in some mine tailings) in a solid carbonate mineral form, where it can remain in a benign state for thousands of years or more. The Geoscience BC research is part of a wider initiative led by University of British Columbia researchers involving industry partners, geoscience agencies across Canada and Natural Resource Canada’s Clean Growth Program.

The report Carbon Mineralization Potential Map for British Columbia: A Preliminary Assessment estimates that BC’s ultramafic rocks have the potential to capture more than 56 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide, representing more than 800 years of greenhouse gas emissions for BC. It provides an initial assessment of the abundance, location, shape, size and quality of ultramafic rocks in BC using existing geologic, geochemical, and geophysical data. A final report, carbon mineralization potential map and public data for the project are expected to be published in early 2021.

A webinar discussing the initial results will take place this morning (November 3, 2020) at 10:00 AM Pacific time and will be available to watch afterwards on Geoscience BC’s YouTube channel.

View Project Page

Geoscience BC YouTube Channel

About Geoscience BC
Geoscience BC generates independent, public geoscience research and data about British Columbia’s minerals, energy and water resources. This advances knowledge, informs responsible development, encourages investment and stimulates innovation.

Our collaboration with the resource sectors, academia, communities, Indigenous groups and government develops and shares unbiased and credible earth science research and data.

Geoscience BC is a not for profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act.

Visit www.geosciencebc.com or follow us @GeoscienceBC to find out more.

For more information, please contact:

Richard Truman
Geoscience BC
604-662-4147/778-929-1662
truman@geosciencebc.com