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Isometric recently certified the Open System Ex-Situ Mineralization (OSEM) Protocol, which outlines procedures and requirements for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) via OSEM. This is the world’s first protocol for durable CDR in the mining industry, built from the ground up with stakeholders from across the sector.
Certification follows a comprehensive public consultation that included feedback from buyers, suppliers and leading academics. Full details on the evolution of the protocol and how Isometric handled feedback from the public consultation are available in the protocol changelog and public consultation summary.
OSEM leverages the natural carbon mineralization process, in which alkaline rocks or minerals—also known as feedstocks—react with atmospheric carbon dioxide. This reaction forms stable carbonate minerals like limestone, which durably store the carbon dioxide for thousands of years.
OSEM projects accelerate the weathering of these feedstocks to increase their rate of reaction with atmospheric carbon dioxide, speeding up the mineralization process. This can be achieved by physically manipulating the feedstocks to increase their surface area, or by pre-treating them using thermal, chemical or physical methods to increase their reactivity.
The OSEM Protocol allows for a variety of feedstocks to be used, including industrial by-products such as mine tailings, waste rock, steel slag and waste cement. This protocol accounts for the existing regulatory requirements related to mine tailings and waste rock management—ensuring that carbon removal activities are compliant with local and international environmental standards.
Like all Isometric protocols, the OSEM Protocol takes a scientifically rigorous approach to Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV), while also maintaining operational feasibility for suppliers and mining operators. The MRV requirements have been developed so they can be used at both operational and closed mine sites, as well as other industrial settings.
Carbon removal supplier Arca provided key feedback during the development of the OSEM Protocol. Arca has developed an innovative mineralization process that uses remotely controlled rovers to physically manipulate mine tailings. They are planning to use the protocol for projects planned across Australia and Canada.
Dr. Greg Dipple, Co-founder and Head of Science at Arca, said:
“Most of the world's carbon is stored in rocks. Developing a CDR pathway to leverage alkaline industrial waste streams, such as that produced by certain forms of mining, can be a low-cost and highly-scalable way to remove a materially significant amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Arca has been delighted to support Isometric's development of this CDR protocol. We look forward to using this protocol in producing safe, durable and high-quality removals that buyers can trust.”
The OSEM Protocol was developed in line with the Isometric Standard and was created in collaboration between Isometric’s in-house Science Team and reviewers from Isometric’s independent Science Network of over 300 academic experts. It also underwent consultation with external expert reviewers from WSP, RMI, Heriot Watt University and Cardiff University.
This level of scientific rigor means that buyers can be confident in the high quality of all credits issued against this protocol. To find out more about the OSEM Protocol, mineralisation or CDR in mining, please get in touch.
