Algae cultivation: a multimillion-dollar opportunity
With 240 mines in Australia projected to close by 2040, algae could be key in managing site water quality, improving mine closure outcomes and creating business opportunities.
A new report released by the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME) has found notable benefits in using algae-based technologies to help mitigate the environmental impacts of mining during operations and after closure.
Integrating algae into mine site closure planning could enable the creation of algae-based supply chains — with potential for regional, Indigenous and Australian enterprises.
The research shows that various micro- and macro-algae have been detected and identified in mine waters. This indicates that, with suitable growth conditions and the selection of appropriate species, algae have the potential to be commercially cultivated at mine sites.
Cultivating algae in mine water can remove various pollutants and sequester carbon dioxide. Algal biomass could also be used to suppress dust and improve plant growth as a fertiliser and biostimulant.
The report, prepared by CSIRO, The University of Queensland and Murdoch University, noted several benefits from algal technologies at mine sites, including:
- The combination of ecological restoration with economic value generation for mutually beneficial outcomes.
- The application of algae at mine sites accelerates ecological recovery while reducing environmental impacts from pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Algal biomass can be used as a raw material to produce bioplastics, biofuels, pigments and animal feeds.
- Business opportunities can emerge from algae-based technologies, transforming post-mining land into economic productive ecosystems.
- Cultivating algae at mine sites could create ongoing value to regions after closure, with potential to support future jobs and opportunities for Traditional Owners, local businesses and communities.
CSIRO senior principal research scientist, project leader and one of the authors of the report Anna Kaksonen comments on the report.
“Algal technologies offer exciting opportunities for mine sites for mine water treatment, mine waste stabilisation, dust suppression and creating topsoil for improving plant growth during rehabilitation,” she said.
CRC TiME chief executive Guy Boggs says water treatment and management of acid mine drainage remains a significant hurdle to successful transitioning to next land uses.
“If industry can capitalise on new technologies like algae and algal biomass to improve water conditions, this could help both risk reduction and value creation — key factors in transforming regions after mining,” he said.
The cultivation and use of algae at mine sites will require consideration of a range of factors, including land use agreements, environmental permits and compliance, health and safety standards, and biodiversity and ecosystem protection.
The report suggests a next step will be assembling a to support industry to identify barriers and opportunities. The database would consist of government, industry and societal requirements that impact algae biomass production.
Other steps including laboratory-scale evaluations of mine site waters and engagement with First Nations and regional communities to identify the most promising algal technologies for scale-up and further demonstration.
A business case for the establishment of algae production within the context of Australian mine sites would consist of several economic, environmental, community and indigenous aspects, and successful commercialisation of algae-based products requires a comprehensive path to market.