Investigating the Valorisation Potential of Mine Waste for Mineral Carbonation

The Challenge

The mining sector in Western Australia generates substantial volumes of mine waste, presenting significant environmental and economic challenges. Although these waste streams offer opportunities for resource recovery and valorisation, there are critical gaps in our understanding of their complex chemical and mineralogical compositions. Existing resources such as MINEDEX, the Atlas of Australian Mine Wastes, and the Global Tailings Portal provide valuable data; however, they often fall short in offering detailed internal characteristics that are essential for comprehensive valorisation assessments.

Proposed Solution

This project is designed to explore the potential for valorising Western Australian mine wastes through mineral carbonation, a process that uses mine waste materials to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2). The focus will be on identifying suitable mine waste candidates and analysing existing data to create a framework for assessing their suitability for mineral carbonation. Additionally, a literature review will be conducted to summarise current databases and research related to the mineralogy, geochemistry, and physical properties pertinent to mineral carbonation reactions.

Proposed Benefits to WA

The data generated from this research will have far-reaching implications for understanding mine wastes in Western Australia. By enhancing the valorisation of mine wastes, we aim to achieve significant reductions in environmental impacts and contribute to a circular economy within the state. This initiative will provide critical insights into the internal characteristics of mine waste and tailings for a thorough valorisation assessment, ultimately informing the development of a dedicated Western Australia Mine Waste database.

Funding DOI

DOI: 10.71342/113894459559