Maximizing carbon sequestration on ultramafic mine tailings remediation through bioamendments and microbial inoculants

Mining for metals, such as nickel used in steel and batteries, results in a waste product known as tailings. These tailings are the left-over rocks stored in huge piles often hundred of hectares in size and are found throughout Canada. Few plants grow on tailings and they are costly to maintain in order prevent damage to neighbouring ecosystems. Restoration of tailings offers a solution to restore vegetation and ecosystem functioning to areas that provide no ecological benefit. Importantly, as plants grow they remove carbon dioxide from atmosphere and store it in their biomass and in the soil. This project explores the use of organic waste products from the pulp and paper industry and microbial communities from natural systems to maximize natural vegetation growth to return ecosystem functioning to barren tailings and maximize carbon dioxide removal from atmosphere. This will help lower Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael D Preston

Student:

Partner:

FPX Nickel Corp

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Mining

University:

University of Northern British Columbia

Program: