Development of an attrition-leaching hybrid process for direct aqueous mineral carbonation

•Attrition leaching, a new hybrid process for direct aqueous mineral carbonation.•Hybrid process yields continuous mechanical exfoliation of passivation layer.•Proven synergy between mechanical exfoliation and mineral carbonation.•Hybrid process yields up to 80% carbonation in 24h.•Robustness of the hybrid process towards variations in ore type.