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Technical case record · Metals recovery

Bowen Basin coal-tailings critical-mineral study

A regional programme is examining rare earths, vanadium and broader value-recovery options in coal mine tailings across the Bowen Basin.

Bowen Basin, Queensland, AustraliaRegional studyConcept evidence

What was developed or tested

The funded work is intended to characterise multiple waste streams and screen recovery and full-volume reuse pathways with participating producers and research partners.

What the evidence supports

An emerging Australian portfolio case included to distinguish funded prospectivity from demonstrated recovery. Public evidence currently supports the research programme, not a commercial resource claim.

Environmental and technical uncertainty

No recovery performance is yet established publicly. Future assessment must address grade variability, process water, residual carbon, secondary wastes and whole-volume outcomes.

Benefit-case screening lens

Potential value: Recovered metal revenue, critical-mineral supply, improved resource efficiency and possible reduction of a legacy or active tailings inventory.

Deployment constraints: Representative grade, mineral deportment, recovery, throughput, reagents, energy, CAPEX, commodity price and management of the reprocessed residue.

Question before applying elsewhere

Do grade variability, mineral deportment, recovery, reagent demand and residual-waste management support a viable site-specific flowsheet?

Sources

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