An abandoned asbestos mine in Baie Verte, in Newfoundland, is expected to have a significant environmental remediation project. BAIE Minerals, a company that specializes in mineral upcycling, plans to transform asbestos into usable resources by utilizing a new, innovative process. The Advocate Mine began operation in 1963, supplying asbestos for Johns Manville’s various products. The mine closed in 1994, leaving about 50 metric tons of asbestos tailings remaining. Asbestos tailings are leftover rock and waste from mining that still contain asbestos fibers. The tailings pile is 505 feet tall and is nine football fields long and five football fields wide. Residents are worried about asbestos fibers becoming airborne from the tailings. BAIE Minerals is going to address this by going through with an initiative similar to its work involving nickel mine tailings in Australia. The Advocate mine project will also be capturing carbon in the air, addressing environmental and climate concerns.
The proposed project will have dual benefits for environmental remediation and public health protection. Mitigation of air and water contamination will make the environment safer. Selling carbon storage credits and leftover minerals will help make the project profitable. BAIE Minerals will be collaborating closely with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and to minimize exposure risks. Safety protocols are very important. Workers will adhere to strict safety regulations to prevent asbestos exposure. BAIE Minerals will be showcasing the safety of this project at a demonstration at the BAIE Verte community college later this year.
The project is based on a process called carbon mineralization. Some rocks are able to absorb carbon dioxide in the air. One type of rock that comes from deep inside the earth is known as ultramafic rock. It has more minerals in it like magnesium and iron and can absorb carbon dioxide. Asbestos is known to form in ultramafic rock. In 2022, research at the King City asbestos mine in California’s San Benito County showed that tailings piles absorb up to 179 tons of CO2 annually. Processing methods can speed up the natural absorption to remove more carbon. BAIE Minerals is looking to increase the surface area of the tailings pile, which would then make the absorption of CO2 much faster. Technologies being considered include churning tailings, heating them to high temperatures, and treating them with strong acids. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages in terms of efficiency, cost, and safety.
The first phase of BAIE’s process is to wet the tailings so asbestos fibers do not become airborne. They will then use a strong acid solution to leach minerals from the rock. Minerals like magnesium and silica will be used for cement and fertilizer. BAIE Minerals will then attempt to remove carbon by using microwave reactor technology. This project shows how far we have come in asbestos waste management and environmental restoration. There is a chance that asbestos waste can be turned into a valuable resource. This project could potentially help other communities facing similar asbestos contamination issues. Public health officials are hoping that the project will contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future.
