Nature’s CO2 Removals
Rock weathering is a natural process that gradually removes CO₂ from the atmosphere on timescales of hundreds of thousands to millions of years. As part of nature’s portfolio of carbon removal mechanisms, rock weathering has regulated the Earth’s temperature throughout geological history and maintained the habitability of the planet. Moreover, the supply of nutrients and ions from rocks has been essential for the evolution and sustenance of life on land and in the ocean.
What is Rock Weathering
Weathering is a natural process where rocks and minerals break down, reacting with CO2 in the presence of water to form bicarbonate ions. These ions are eventually washed into the oceans, resulting in long-term carbon storage. This natural geochemical process regulates the Earth’s carbon cycle and climate over geological timescales.
Agricultural Revolution
Beyond its climate benefits, basalt application represents a paradigm shift in regenerative agriculture. The rock powder delivers a natural, slow-release source of critical macronutrients (Ca, K, Mg) that revitalize depleted soils. Empirical data from working farms shows consistent yield boosts of 20-25%, rivaling synthetic fertilizers without their environmental costs. For smallholder farmers across the Global South, this translates to both economic resilience through reduced input costs and food security through higher productivity. The technology thus creates a virtuous cycle where climate mitigation directly funds agricultural adaptation – a rare win-win in environmental management.
50,000+
Acres Remineralized .
4Gt
100%
of high-quality
rock powder
renewable energy
for low operational costs
How Enhanced Rock Weathering Works
Mining and Processing
Rock residues are collected at basalt mines in Ghana, and processed on-site into a fine powder to be sent to farmers. Basalt, a volcanic rock rich in silicate minerals, is an ideal material for ERW due to its effectiveness in reacting with CO2 and abundance, making it a cost-effective choice. Its application in agriculture not only aids in carbon removal but also improves soil health by supplying essential minerals and correcting soil pH levels.
Transportation
The processed basalt powder is transported from Quarries to partner farms via road freight usually within a 100km radius, optimizing cost and emissions efficiency. Bulk shipping minimizes transportation footprints, while local distribution networks ensure timely delivery to agricultural regions. Strict quality control prevents contamination or degradation of the powder during transit. By leveraging existing logistics infrastructure, the process remains scalable and sustainable. Transportation emissions are offset by the carbon removal potential of ERW, ensuring a net-negative impact. Furthermore, switching to electric-powered haul trucks for rock power transport could eliminate over 90% of transportation emissions in the ERW supply chain while maintaining cost efficiency, supporting the overall sustainability of the ERW value chain.
Spreading and Weathering
The finely crushed rock powder spreads across land surfaces, where rainwater accelerates its natural weathering. This process chemically binds atmospheric CO₂ into dissolved bicarbonate ions, which transport through watersheds to achieve permanent oceanic storage. Rigorous scientific monitoring validates each step—tracking mineral dissolution rates, cation release patterns, and bicarbonate fluxes across terrestrial and aquatic systems. Advanced analysis of soil porewaters, river chemistry, and secondary mineral formation provides quantifiable proof of carbon sequestration. By combining precise material characterization with environmental monitoring, this approach transforms natural weathering into a measurable climate solution, where every ton of removed CO₂ is verified through comprehensive geochemical tracing..
Sequestration
When basalt powder is applied to agricultural fields, rainwater initiates a powerful geochemical reaction – silicate minerals within the basalt bind with atmospheric CO₂, permanently converting it into dissolved bicarbonate ions. These climate-stable compounds travel through watersheds before ultimately reaching oceanic reservoirs, where they remain sequestered for millennia. Simultaneously, a portion mineralizes into terrestrial carbonates, creating additional long-term carbon sinks. This dual-pathway sequestration not only removes greenhouse gases but also serves as a natural ocean alkalinity enhancer, helping mitigate the devastating impacts of acidification on marine ecosystems.
From Marginal Lands to Climate Solutions
What makes ERW truly transformative is its scalability across degraded or marginal agricultural lands. Unlike many carbon removal technologies that compete with food production, enhanced weathering synergizes with it. The developing world’s vast expanses of weathered tropical soils – traditionally seen as agricultural challenges – become strategic assets in the climate fight
As implementation expands across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia, we’re witnessing the emergence of a new development model where improving livelihoods and sequestering carbon become two sides of the same coin.
