Franco-Australian grant to transform mine waste into critical minerals and construction materials

GHD has been selected to lead an innovative project that will transform mine tailings into valuable resources, supporting the global shift towards clean energy and sustainable construction. In partnership with France’s Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, CEA), one of Europe’s leading research organisations, the project brings together GHD’s technical experience with international authorities to address one of the mining sector’s most pressing challenges. 

The study is well underway, with the project team working to demonstrate that up to 90 percent of most tailings can be converted into credible sources of industrial, precious, and critical metals and chemicals for multiple industries and raw materials for construction products. The team are already exploring opportunities to repurpose these materials into low-carbon construction products and engineered soils for agricultural use. 

The initiative, supported by a grant from the Franco-Australian Indo-Pacific Centre for Energy Transition (FACET), was announced at the recent FACET Symposium in Grenoble, France, attended by senior leaders from research, government, and industry across France and Australia. Project partners include the Institute of Science and Technology for a Circular Economy of Low-Carbon Energy (ISEC – Institut des sciences et technologies pour une économie circulaire des énergies bas carbone, ISEC), the French Geological Survey (BRGM), and Invest Victoria. 

Each year, more than 10 billion tonnes of mine tailings and 90 billion tonnes of waste rock are generated worldwide, representing both an environmental challenge and a significant untapped resource. Within the FACET-supported initiative, GHD will lead the technical program of work, undertaking advanced mineral separation and testing to recover critical l metals including rare earth elements and repurpose mineral residues into low-carbon construction materials such as geopolymers, aggregates, precast concrete and bricks. 

The project aims to reduce emissions, minimise waste and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals essential to technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure. The initiative will also develop a scalable roadmap for mine waste transformation, supporting clients and communities in meeting their sustainability goals. 

“Ultimately, this project transforms an environmental liability into a strategic, economic, and sustainable asset. We're not just cleaning up mine waste, we’re unlocking its potential to power the clean energy future and provide the low carbon footprint materials for the build of tomorrow” said Charles Vuillier, Technical Director – Tailings and Repurposing at GHD, who played a pivotal role in securing the grant.  

“FACET is proud to back this initiative, built on strong Franco-Australian collaboration and expertise,” said Sarah Cumming, FACET Co-Director. “By recovering critical minerals and low-carbon construction materials from mine waste, this project illustrates how innovation can transform environmental challenges into opportunities for clean energy and sustainable circular solutions.” 

The FACET grant recognises GHD and its project partners’ ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration. 

About GHD

GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 165 offices located on five continents.