Previously mined and discarded rock and earth will be searched for overlooked critical minerals to help accelerate Australia’s clean energy switch.
Geoscience Australia has developed an atlas of sites across the country that it believes may have critical mineral that were previously discarded, including minerals used in solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs).
Dubbed the Atlas of Australian Mine Waste, the search has been created in collaboration with RMIT University, the University of Queensland and the geological surveys of Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Victoria and South Australia.
“Some of the minerals we need now, and into the future, may not just be in the ground – they’re also in rock piles and tailings on mine sites around the country,” Minister for Resources Madeleine King said.
“These minerals might not have been of interest when first extracted but could now be in hot demand as the world seeks to decarbonise – for example, cobalt in the tailings of old copper mines.
“This new Atlas puts these potentially lucrative sites on the map for the first time and may open up new sources of critical materials.”
The Atlas has identified over 1000 sites across Australia to search for critical minerals.
“Our resources sector is the key to our net zero future – and this is another tool developed by Government to help facilitate the discovery of critical minerals in a more efficient, sustainable way – and to the highest standards,” King said.
“Reprocessing rocks and earth that have been previously excavated during mining operations can give new life to old mining towns, create jobs and rejuvenate local economies.”