Project: Mine waste sampling and analysis module exploring for the future program (2021-2024)

The Mine Waste Sampling and Analysis module of the Exploring for the Future program will contribute to realising a circular economy for critical minerals from mining waste. Tailings dams and other mine wastes are not only potential environmental hazards but also potential sources of the critical minerals that are becoming essential for the modern ‘green economy’. Cobalt, for example, has historically been recovered from Mount Isa copper ores, but in recent years it has gone to mine waste. It may be possible to ameliorate the environmental hazard of mine waste by re treating it, and at the same time recover valuable metals.

 

As part of the Exploring for the Future (EFTF) Program, Geoscience Australia is initiating a national scale audit of mine wastes to identify not only their location and size, but opportunities for re treating. The Mine Waste Sampling and Analysis module of the EFTF Program will provide site specific
information that will contribute to this national audit.

 

In collaboration with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Queensland, the University of Queensland will undertake physical sampling and analysis to identify the chemical and mineralogical composition of mine waste from selected mine sites, with a particular focus on the unrealised value of new economy metals ( e.g Co, REE, In, W, Ga, Ge).

 

Project leader: Anita Parbhakar-Fox

Project manager: Kam Bhowany

Timing: 2021 - 2024

Project team: Laura Jackson (UQ); Thomas Jones (UQ); Geoff Fraser (GA); Jane Thorne (GA); Allison Brit (GA); Helen Degeling (GSQ); Emma Beatie (GSQ)