The Queensland Government is investing over $1.5 million to explore turning coal mine waste into critical minerals.
Minster for natural resources and mines Dale Last said that this project will provide valuable job opportunities and a stronger economy.
“Queensland’s coal industry helped build this state and now it’s helping us build the next generation of resource opportunities,” he said.
“By finding value in what was once considered waste, we’re creating new jobs, attracting new investment, and supporting a more sustainable future for regional Queensland. We’re backing new innovations and technologies that will keep our state competitive well into the future.”
The project will be led by Coreo Pty Ltd, in collaboration with major coal producers, and will expand on the Bowen Basin Circularity Project.
“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,” Last said.
“The Queensland Government is giving the coal industry certainty and backing the thousands of mining families the sector supports.”
Coreo chief executive officer and co-founder Ashleigh Morris said that the funding from the Queensland Government strengthened the Bowen Basin Circularity program.
“By focusing on critical minerals in coal tailings, and the potential to extract them alongside other valuable components, we are targeting full value from the full volume of tailings,” 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 advances whole-of-system resource recovery and positions Queensland to lead in circular resource innovation.”