Mine tailings: The case for having a second crack at processed ore

In an article by BusinessDesk, Paul Greaney, Mining Leader - Australia, discusses the opportunity to transform mine tailings from a long-term waste liability into a valuable resource for construction and infrastructure applications. He explains that New Zealand could significantly reduce stored mine tailings by repurposing processed ore into products such as concrete, bricks and construction materials, supporting both resource recovery and more sustainable mining practices.

Paul highlights New Zealand as a promising location to advance tailings reuse due to its mining activity and environmental conditions. He notes that interest is growing across industry and government, with GHD currently supporting discussions around regulatory settings that could help accelerate a dedicated tailings-reuse sector.

As demand for minerals grows, Paul describes tailings reuse as an opportunity to support a more circular mining industry, where waste streams are converted into productive resources and environmental impacts are reduced.

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