Algae and mining: A new frontier in sustainable site rehabilitation

Algae might seem an unlikely candidate to help transform Australia’s post-mining landscapes, but a new CSIRO -led project suggests these tiny aquatic organisms could provide sustainable futures for mine sites, surrounding ecosystems, and local communities. Looking down the microscope at the microalgae Nannochloropsis Australia’s mining sector is approaching a crossroads—where economic legacy and environmental responsibility must find common ground. A new CSIRO -led study, supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME), suggests that one of the most promising bridges between these imperatives may come from an unexpected source: algae. Though small in stature, algae are emerging as giants in their potential to transform post-mining landscapes. The study, developed in partnership with the University of Queensland and Murdoch University , proposes that algae-based technologies could reduce mining’s environmental footprint while seeding new...

Modern mining ok for environment

Rebutting criticism by environmentalists, Australian government officials said mining could pose minimum risk to environment as long as it is conducted legally with modern equipment and in-depth study.

"I agree with accusation by non governmental organizations about environmental damage caused by mining but it refers to small, illegal and traditional mining, not modern and legal," Australia's Senior Trade Commissioner for Indonesia Rod Morehouse told Xinhua newsagency.

He said that good mining companies think about long term work, not just short benefit.

Paul Martins, ASEAN Mining Team Leader and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner at the Australian Trade Commission, said that modern mining companies completed with high technology play an important role for sustainable mining.

"They have an integrated approach that is important to minimize damage. They also have innovations such as in mining software that reduces cost and increase safety," he said.

Martins said that approximately 60% of the world's mines use mining software that was developed in Australia.