As part of the Think & Act Differently (TAD) incubator initiative, funding and support will be offered to innovators seeking to reimagine mining and processing to remove, minimize, find value in or reuse mine tailings.
Who
Anglo-Australian mining firm Rio Tinto, copper miner OZ Minerals and Sweden-based metals firm Boliden have agreed to partner on developing new solutions to manage tailings in the mining and processing industry.
The firms will also join forces on other selected innovations to enhance productivity at the mines while cutting down emissions and waste.
Why it matters
Michelle Ash, Technology Executive, OZ Minerals: “We hope this way of working and supporting innovators provides a model that can be replicated because accelerated technology development is likely to have a positive impact on our industry and society.”
While support will be offered to innovators including financing, materials and technical assistance as well as the potential for field trials at mining operations, the innovators will retain intellectual property rights. 
