The increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (C02), generated by energy and process industries is receiving heightened international attention. Methods are being sought to reduce emissions and to remove from the environment C02 already produced. A sequestration strategy has been proposed whereby C02 can be disposed of through the carbonation of naturally occurring magnesium silicate minerals such as serpentine and olivine. The resulting nontoxic magnesium carbonate is thermodynamically stable, thereby offering permanent disposal of the C02 in safe form. Furthermore, sufficient high quality magnesium silicate deposits exist worldwide in order to easily handle the C02 resulting from the consumption of all of the worlds coal and petroleum reserves.