Transforming mine waste into critical minerals
Supporting the shift towards sustainable construction
Press release
Mine tailings repurposing
Explore GHD's approach to repurposing mine waste, focusing on sustainable tailings management to support circular economy outcomes.
Mine waste presents complex challenges, including rising volumes, ageing tailings facilities, increasing costs and regulatory pressure. At the same time, global demand for raw materials continues to grow, placing further strain on finite resources.
However, what is often classified as waste may hold significant untapped value. All mined and processed ore by-products contain materials suitable for reuse such as construction aggregates, soil amendments, industrial inputs and the recovery of critical metals. With a strategic approach, we can transform these materials into valuable resources that support sustainability targets and commercial outcomes.
We work with our clients and end-users across the mining lifecycle to identify viable reuse pathways, reduce long-term risks, and turn waste into commercial opportunity, delivering benefits across multiple sectors.
Tailings remining, reprocessing, and repurposing through integrated solutions
Our ongoing work in tailings and circular material research enables us to unlock value from mining waste. We focus on practical, sustainable outcomes that benefit your operations and the communities you work with.
We combine the agility and insight of our local teams with the strength of a global, multidisciplinary organisation. Working across five continents, we use proven methodologies and cross-market insights to deliver integrated solutions tailored to your project’s scale, complexity and long-term vision.
Services we offer
Project scoping
- Value distribution analysis across the tailings storage facility
- Remining method strategy development based on material characteristics and site conditions
- Tailings characterisation by analysing their composition, including metals, aggregates, and mineral content
- Early opportunity screening, including assessment of potential for reuse, reprocessing or value recovery
- Separation process for metallic and non-metallic fractions
- Collaboration with GHD’s Materials Technology Group to assess alignment with relevant construction standards
- Metallic fraction value assessment to estimate recoverable metal content and associated economic potential
- Metallic fraction processing strategy to guide extraction and refinement pathways
- Approval pathway guidance for both metallic and non-metallic fractions
- Market assessment for both metallic and non-metallic fractions
- Financial model and partnership strategy to facilitate collaboration between mining companies and downstream industries
Pre-feasibility studies
- Identifying viable options for tailings reuse or reprocessing
- Early engagement with environmental regulators to explore permitting pathways
- Identifying potential industry collaborators across construction and related sectors
Feasibility studies
- Technical and commercial assessment of reprocessing plans
- Development of a concept plan for tailings recovery and utilisation
- Bench-scale proof of concept, including production and testing of material samples
Design
- Design of a small-scale pilot plant to validate reprocessing methods
- Engagement with construction and concrete specialists to assess suitability for use, such as aggregates, engineered sand and supplementary cementitious materials
Construction and commissioning
- Implementation of reprocessing strategy
- Support with construction and/or operation of pilot facilities as required
Operations and maintenance
- Ongoing monitoring and risk mitigation, including the use of digital tools such as GHD InsightVision
At the forefront of tailings research and innovation
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Transforming mine waste into a resource
A new era of sustainability and opportunity
Charles Vuillier | Insights
Project experience
Our team brings decades of combined experience in tailings reprocessing and repurposing, including bioleaching, carbon sequestration, technosol development, and producing construction materials from mine waste.
Ready to explore new value in mine tailings?
If you want to reduce risk or repurpose materials for future use, we can help turn mine waste challenges into long-term opportunities.
Connect with us to discuss your goals and how we can support your project.