A report from Yakutia says kimberlite ore, a byproduct of diamond mining, could be used to slow permafrost thaw and store carbon. The idea is that the ore reacts with CO2 to form carbonates, locking the gas away in solid form. If the chemistry works at scale, it could turn mine waste into a climate tool in a region where permafrost is melting fast. But there are open questions. The reaction rate, energy costs, and logistics of moving ore in a remote area like Yakutia will decide whether this is practical. Local infrastructure is thin, and processing requires energy. So far the report does not provide specific numbers on capture rates or project scale, which makes it hard to judge the potential. Still, this is worth watching because it connects carbon removal with an existing mining operation. If pilot results confirm the mechanism, it could offer a low-cost option for locking away CO2 in cold climates.
