Curtin leads the way in mineral carbonation for a greener future

Curtin University is proud to be leading the way in the State Government’s roadmap to decarbonising Western Australia through integrated mineral carbonation, setting the state on a path to a more sustainable future.

Announced by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston MLA today, the roadmap will be spearheaded by Curtin’s WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering Head of School Professor Michael Hitch and developed alongside the Minerals Research Institute of WA and BHP Nickel West.

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said the University was proud to be at the epicentre of a project that would support the transition to a low carbon economy.

“Curtin University is excited to be a central part of bringing together industry, researchers and government stakeholders to find a solution to one of the world’s most pressing challenges,” Professor Hayne said.

“Through research and innovation, we are seizing this incredible opportunity to harness the potential of mineral carbonation, which could eventually lead us to store more carbon dioxide emissions than we produce and help pave the way to a more sustainable, greener future.”

Professor Hitch, the roadmap development lead, said his team would develop methods to accelerate the natural process of mineral carbonation through rock weathering, which permanently removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

“I am thrilled to be at the forefront of this collaborative project that aims to find technological solutions to storing large-scale CO2 emissions and thereby boosting sustainability,” Professor Hitch said.

“I look forward to working with all our partners as we join forces to build this mineral carbonation roadmap and ultimately transform the environmental impact and reduce the carbon footprint of our mining industry.”

To read the Minister’s media release, visit here.