Mine waste to wealth: Queensland Government backs study
The Queensland Government has awarded $1.5m to Coreo to progress a study aiming to unlock critical minerals from coal mine tailings.
Coreo, a specialist circular economy consultancy, will collaborate with major coal producers on the study to examine options for recovery of valuable minerals from mine waste.
The study will build on the successes and lessons of the Bowen Basin circularity project to capture untapped value across the mining supply chain.
According to CSIRO, only 3.7% of Australia’s economy is considered circular and new circular products from waste resources could provide market opportunities with the potential of a $210b economic boost for Australia to 2050.
Coreo chief executive and co-founder Ashleigh Morris says by focusing on critical minerals in coal tailings, and the potential to extract them alongside other valuable components, Coreo is targeting full value from the full volume of tailings.
“This [will advance] whole-of-system resource recovery and positions Queensland to lead in circular resource innovation,” she said.
“Building on Bowen Basin circularity, this program will sharpen our understanding of critical minerals in tailings and create new value pathways for regional Queensland, supporting long-term jobs and competitive industry growth.
“This support extends Bowen Basin Circularity to target critical minerals in tailings, accelerating evidence-based pathways for full-value recovery across the Basin.”
CSIRO reports that Australia’s national waste policy aims to boost Australia’s capacity to export high-value recycled materials to establish pathways towards a circular economy with a target of diverting 80% of all waste from landfill by 2030.
Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last says the Bowen Basin project demonstrated the strength and innovation Queensland’s resources sector has to offer.
“Queensland’s coal industry helped build this state and now it’s helping us build the next generation of resource opportunities,” he said.
“This collaboration is what our industry does best, bringing together some of Queensland’s leading coal producers with government and research partners to find value in materials once considered waste.”