CARBON MINERALIZATION FOR POTENTIAL LONG-TERM CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE: MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MINE TAILINGS IN MOJAVE DESERT, CALIFORNIA

Carbon mineralization presents a viable solution for long-term carbon capture and storage. This study investigates the mineralogical composition of mine tailings from the Blackhawk Mine and Atolia Mine Camp in the Mojave Desert, California, to evaluate their potential as a carbon sequestration medium. The tailings, which range in size from silt to gravel, are sampled at depths from 0 to 40 cm. Following drying and grinding, the samples are analyzed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to identify mineral compositions. Results reveal the presence of calcite at both mine sites, with higher concentrations at the Blackhawk Mine, particularly between 5 and 20 cm depth. At the Atolia Mine Camp, calcite is consistently present at depths, indicating natural formation. These observations suggest that the Blackhawk site exhibits natural carbon mineralization likely influenced by precipitation-induced water infiltration. The consistent calcite presence at Atolia Mine Camp requires further investigation into the origins, possibly indicating inherited calcite rather than natural formation. The findings highlight the potential of mine tailings as a promising candidate for CO₂ sequestration. Further hydrological modeling and mineralogical analysis will deepen the understanding of these mineralization processes and validate the feasibility of mine tailings in carbon capture initiatives.