Carbon Sequestration Potential
Magnesium rich ultramafic rocks are found throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. When exposed to CO2, these rocks chemically react and form new carbonate minerals, permanently binding the CO2 in the resulting rock.
This is a natural process called carbon mineralisation, but can be accelerated using proven methods already adopted in Europe. We believe carbon mineralisation has the potential to play a pivotal role in Aotearoa NZ’s transition to a sustainable, net-zero-carbon future.
Weora Limited holds 9 Mineral Permits primarily focused on the magnesium-rich ultramafic rocks dunite and serpentinite which are highly reactive with CO2. Lab tests on the dunite within the permit areas show that they have the highest magnesium content out of all the ultramafic rocks in the world.
We are currently conducting our initial exploration programme at the Greenhills Igneous Complex near Bluff. The first two boreholes reached their target depths of 800 m and we are continuing to drill on the site. The rock samples from these boreholes have yielded very promising results, showing a continuous presence of magnesium-rich dunite from the surface to the end of the borings.
Rock samples from our permit areas have been sent to laboratories where they are being subjected to various mineral carbonation tests. The lab data combined with conventional exploration methods for reservoir definition, will allow us to identify suitable sites for trial in situ carbon mineralisation.
