CTP brings transformative environmental and economic benefits to the mining industry:
60% Reduction in CO₂ Emissions: Through permanent CO₂ storage via mineralization.
Elimination of Tailings Dams: Cemented backfill replaces traditional disposal, avoiding dam failures.
Contaminant Stabilization: Prevents leaching of toxic elements into water sources.
12% Cost Reduction: In tailings management operations.
High-Value Carbon Credits: Monetize carbon storage via certified offsetting.
Faster Permitting: Addresses environmental liabilities during operations, cutting permitting times by half.
Meets key UN Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 9 (Industry Innovation), SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Supports EU’s Green Deal and Responsible Sourcing initiatives.
Pioneering a Carbon-Neutral Mining Process
The Carbonated Tailings Process (CTP) is a breakthrough in carbon capture and waste management for the mining industry. By chemically binding atmospheric CO₂ to mine tailings, it transforms a major environmental liability into a stable, structurally sound, and commercially valuable product. The process offers a scalable, cost-effective, and low-disruption solution compatible with current mining infrastructure.
CO₂ Capture: Atmospheric carbon is captured, either via direct air capture (DAC) or as industrial-grade gas.
Carbon Mineralization: The CO₂ is reacted with alkaline mine process water and tailings, forming stable carbonate minerals.
Paste Formation: This mineral-rich paste is mixed with existing tailings and pumped underground or co-disposed with waste rock.
Long-Term Storage: The resulting cementitious paste fills underground voids or surface dumps, locking carbon and preventing the leaching of toxic substances.
TRL6 Validated: Proven in a relevant environment, with pilot-scale demonstrations already underway.
Compatibility: Uses existing paste plant infrastructure at the mine site.
CO₂ Utilization: CO2 capture with capacity to remove over 1.0 Gtons of atmospheric CO₂ by 2050.
Mechanical Strength: Lab and field tests (Because we say its TRL 6, so better not to refer lab tests)
Blue Skies Minerals (BSM) has developed a robust go-to-market strategy that positions CTP as a high-value solution for mining companies seeking to meet environmental regulations and offset emissions cost-effectively. The model is scalable, modular, and integrates seamlessly into existing mining operations.
Carbon Credits: Monetization of stored CO₂ through high-quality, verifiable credits.
Tailings Treatment Services: Reduction in waste disposal costs up to 20%.
Licensing Model: Tailored technology licensing for global mining operations.
Total Addressable Market (TAM): 2,317 mines globally.
Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM): $161–280M/year by 2040.
Carbon Removal Market Value: $18–50 billion annually (mining sector alone).
Tailing-agnostic and binder-flexible technology.
Requires minimal operational changes for integration.
Aligned with ESG, SDG, and EU Green Deal frameworks.
CTP is backed by leading industry actors including Boliden, Montanuniversität Leoben, and SEC IKE. BSM has also established dialogues with technology partners such as Veolia and Metso Outotec for full-scale deployment.
Building a Cleaner Mining Future, Today
CTP directly addresses some of the most urgent environmental challenges faced by the mining sector—greenhouse gas emissions, acid mine drainage, and tailings dam failure. By integrating environmental remediation within the core of mining operations, CTP transforms the industry’s environmental footprint.
SDG 6 – Clean Water & Sanitation: Prevents leaching of heavy metals and acid generation.
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Deploys state-of-the-art material stabilization and CO₂ capture technologies.
SDG 13 – Climate Action: Achieves up to 60% reduction in operational CO₂ emissions.
Eliminates Tailings Dams: Co-disposal of tailings and waste rock in a geotechnically stable form.
Prevents Toxic Leaching: Stabilizes sulphide minerals before oxidation occurs.
Carbon Lock-In: Ensures the permanent mineralization of captured CO₂.
Reduces mine permitting time by up to 50%.
Aligns with EU Extractive Waste Directive (2006/21/EC), IFC standards, and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management.