Winsome has also secured partnerships with industry leaders Arca Climate Technologies Inc., Exterra Carbon Solutions, and Aquarry for the development of CO2 removal techniques. This collaboration marks the first phase of Winsome’s decarbonisation strategy, with the ultimate aim of achieving both environmental and economic benefits whilst aiming to be an industry leader in sustainable mining practices.
Winsome is exploring plans to establish the Renard Operation as a dual-use hub, combining a transition to lithium production with ground-breaking carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. This approach could potentially maximise the site’s utility by leveraging existing and well-maintained infrastructure, repurposing processed materials currently stockpiled on site, and aligning environmental and economic goals.
Through the MOUs, Winsome aims to leverage Isometric’s experience and expertise in CDR to explore solutions with industry-leading partners and evaluate the potential environmental and economic benefits.
The initial technical review focuses on the processed kimberlite material rich in magnesium-bearing minerals such as olivine and serpentine, and stored in an existing containment area at Renard. Magnesium-bearing minerals exposed at surface are relatively rare in a global sense, particularly where they are already crushed – as at Renard. This processed kimberlite material naturally reacts with atmospheric CO2 in a process called mineral carbonation, or ‘mineralisation’, where carbon dioxide is absorbed and converted into stable mineral forms like magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate.
Isometric has already developed a protocol for this process, the open system ex-situ mineralisation (OSEM) protocol, which can be used to validate and verify the technique used by Winsome and its partners for mineralisation at Renard.
Another area of interest for Winsome’s partners is the previously mined R65 pit, where surface water in the pit is in contact with fresh kimberlite rock containing the same magnesium-bearing minerals (olivine and serpentine).
Isometric’s globally recognised MRV frameworks will play a critical role in ensuring that, if pursued, carbon sequestration efforts at Renard meet the highest international standards. This partnership would enable Winsome and its collaborators to generate high-integrity carbon credits.