Evaluating the Potential of Mine Waste for Construction Solutions

The Challenge

The challenge is finding low‑cost ways to turn mine waste, particularly iron ore and gold tailings into construction materials that meet Australian Standards. This is made more difficult by variable tailings quality between sites, limited long‑term durability and leaching data, and the need to scale laboratory results into practical applications across Western Australia.

Proposed Solution

This project synthesised peer‑reviewed literature and case studies to evaluate where and how tailings can substitute conventional construction inputs. The review found that tailings can be effective as fine aggregate in concrete, with an optimum replacement range commonly improving compressive strength, but with decreasing workability as replacement increases. Use as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) generally reduced compressive strength unless activation methods were employed. Brick outcomes were more variable and appeared more sensitive to site-specific chemistry and particle-size effects, highlighting the need for targeted validation.

Proposed Benefits to WA

The project provides a consolidated evidence base to guide WA stakeholders on high-potential tailings reuse pathways particularly aggregate substitution in concrete supporting reduced tailings storage burden and enabling circular-economy outcomes. By clarifying technical trends, standards considerations, and key knowledge gaps (durability, leaching, and WA site-specific testing), the findings can help prioritise future research and de-risk pilot trials, with the longer-term potential to lower material costs and environmental impacts across WA’s mining and construction sectors.

Financial Assistance DOI:

DOI: 10.71342/533138389000

Report DOI:

DOI: 10.71342/776967846322