Carbon-removal industry makes Trump-y mining pitch
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A carbon removal industry group is launching a domestic security-focused push for policies that stitch CO2-sucking tech into U.S. mining operations.
Why it matters: Adding carbon removal to mining can create revenue to help make U.S. development more competitive and counter China, the Carbon Removal Alliance argues in a new memo.
The big picture: Clean tech sectors are positioning their message around Trump-friendly, energy dominance and security themes as the White House looks to expand domestic mining.
How it works: Mining creates mineral byproducts that naturally absorb CO2. This can be greatly sped up via crushing them with existing processing infrastructure at mining sites and sometimes treating them to boost reactivity.
- This is known in the removal world as "enhanced rock weathering." It can both boost mineral extraction and reduce waste levels, the group argues.
- Removal could also occur via "pit lakes" at mining sites by adding alkaline materials. It boosts the water's CO2 absorption as the CO2 reacts with the materials, creating bicarbonates that sink to the bottom.
Driving the news: The group just unveiled suggestions for Trump's National Energy Dominance Council.
- They include prioritizing permits for federal lands projects that integrate CO2 removal.
- Another is ensuring that the Development Finance Corporation — which Trump wants to assist U.S. mining — aids projects that weave in removal.
Follow the money: The idea is that selling removal credits in addition to underlying commodities — and sharing the revenue with removal startups — helps improve domestic project economics.
- "We're providing them a revenue backstop, increasing the profitability of each mine," CRA senior policy manager Eli Cain tells me. It's especially helpful when commodity prices are low and volatile, he said.
- The idea lends itself to integration with mining lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt and more, he said.
- The group sees a revenue opportunity for the mining sector in just a subset of mineral types analyzed that's north of $100 billion over the next 25 years.
Reality check: Yes, mining is a White House priority and the subject of a recent executive order. Tackling climate change isn't.
- But Cain cites bipartisan support for more domestic critical minerals projects.
- "We're talking about game-changing economics here," he said, adding that CRA is going to circulate the proposal on Capitol Hill.
What we're watching: Cain notes that removal startups like Arca are already working with mining companies in Canada and Australia.
The bottom line: The mining industry has been waning in recent decades as the U.S. is undercut on price by competition from areas with lower environmental standards, he said.
- "We won't hit our climate goals without carbon removal, but really this comes down to increasing the revenue potential from mines," Cain said.
