CO2 Lock Corp to Launch Carbon Capture and Storage Pilot Project in Northern BC

The Sam Project is located approximately 50 kilometres southwest of Prince George and southeast of Vanderhoof

CO2 Lock Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of FPX Nickel Corp., is set to launch a rare carbon capture and storage (CCS) pilot project in Northern British Columbia next year, marking it as the only such project currently planned in the region.

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The Sam Project, located approximately 50 kilometres southwest of Prince George and southeast of Vanderhoof, is an initiative focused on permanently storing carbon dioxide (CO2) through injection into a large ultramafic rock body.

These types of rocks, rich in iron and magnesium and low in silica, are ideal for CO2 sequestration due to their ability to react with carbon dioxide and form stable carbonates.

Spanning 4,084 hectares, the Sam Project was staked in 2022 and is situated within the Cache Creek Terrane, an area already known for significant nickel and ultramafic deposits. The site hosts an ultramafic body composed mainly of harzburgite, dunnite, and peridotite, minerals well-suited for CO2 mineralization.

CO2 Lock plans to use these brucite-rich serpentinized peridotite (BRSP) formations to safely store CO2, contributing to large-scale carbon mineralization.

In its pursuit of commercializing CO2 storage, CO2 Lock is exploring three pathways: ex-situ rock, ex-situ water, and in-situ rock. All three pathways utilize labile magnesium cations to react with CO2 and form stable carbonates. While the ex-situ rock and ex-situ water methods involve processing materials above ground, the in-situ rock pathway—similar to Iceland’s Project Orca—injects CO2-rich water deep underground to mineralize CO2 at depth, offering a scalable, permanent solution.

At a recent presentation to the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN), CO2 Lock’s leadership team, including Scott Larson, CEO, Nader Mosavat, Chief Technology Officer, and David Molinski, Director of Regulatory and External Relations, shared the latest developments on the Sam Project.

They informed RDBN's board about the project's potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the region while advancing the carbon capture industry.

CO2 Lock’s 2025 Pilot Program is aimed at securing necessary permitting and advancing CO2 sequestration operations, the team said. The company is currently engaged in discussions with First Nations as part of the BC Energy Regulator’s approval process and is working to ensure full compliance with the Environmental Assessment Process. CO2 Lock is also seeking support from local governments to move the project forward.

The infrastructure required for the project will make use of existing road networks and will include pipelines for transporting CO2 as the project expands, they said.

Additional infrastructure, such as storage containers, compressors, and drills, will be used to facilitate the CO2 sequestration process. CO2 Lock team reiterated the project will be environmentally friendly, with minimal use of water and no creation of other contaminants during the sequestration process. Water will act as a neutral catalyst to help move CO2 into reaction with the brucite-rich rock, and its pH levels will be carefully controlled to optimize the process, they said.

While specific figures for job creation are still being finalized, the project is expected to offer significant employment opportunities and contribute positively to the local economy, the team said.

The increasing demand for climate technology and the growing support from federal and provincial governments for carbon capture technologies presents strong growth prospects for CO2 Lock. The company also plans to generate funding through carbon credits as the project progresses.

Geologically, the Sam Project offers several advantages. CO2 will be stored at a depth of 400-500 meters below the surface, in an area with zero seismic activity, ensuring the long-term stability and security of the CO2 storage. The geological and geographical conditions of the site make it highly suitable for safe, permanent sequestration of carbon dioxide.

As part of its ongoing work, CO2 Lock team said they are also exploring ways to secure CO2 from nearby towns and cities to be stored at the Sam site. The company said it is consulting with land users in the area, including ranchers and recreational users, to address any concerns and ensure that the project aligns with local community needs.