Queensland is accelerating its shift towards a more circular mining economy, backing new research that could convert long-ignored coal tailings into high-value critical minerals. The State Government has awarded $1.5 million to Coreo to advance a study designed to unlock resource streams traditionally written off as waste – an approach aligned with broader industry pressures around decarbonisation, supply resilience and long-term competitiveness.
Coreo, a consultancy specialising in circular economy frameworks, will work alongside major coal producers to assess recovery options across existing tailings storage facilities. The program builds on the earlier Bowen Basin circularity project and aims to map out commercially viable pathways for extracting critical minerals and other valuable materials embedded in mine waste streams.
According to CSIRO, just 3.7 per cent of Australia’s economy currently operates on circular principles. National modelling suggests that new circular products derived from waste resources could deliver up to $210 billion in economic value by 2050 – adding weight to projects that extract greater value from every tonne mined.
Coreo chief executive and co-founder Ashleigh Morris said the next phase of work focuses on capturing full resource value rather than treating tailings as a liability. She noted that the study advances a “whole-system” view of resource recovery and strengthens Queensland’s position in circular resource innovation. Morris added that extending the Bowen Basin circularity work will deepen understanding of critical minerals within tailings and create new value pathways that support regional jobs and long-term industrial competitiveness.
Australia’s national waste policy sets an ambition to divert 80 per cent of all waste from landfill by 2030, with an emphasis on scaling the export of high-value recycled materials. For mining regions, tapping into tailings-based critical minerals could support both circular outcomes and sovereign capability.
Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said the Bowen Basin project demonstrated the industry’s capacity for innovation and collaboration. He highlighted that the coal sector – long a foundation of Queensland’s economy – is now helping open up the next generation of resource opportunities by identifying value in materials historically viewed as waste.
Conclusion
For a sector under pressure to decarbonise, demonstrate ESG performance and secure supply chain resilience, unlocking critical minerals from mine waste presents both economic and strategic upside. Queensland’s latest investment reinforces the industry’s transition toward circularity and positions the state as a leader in recovering value from legacy mining streams – while driving innovation, jobs and long-term regional growth.
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