Recommercialisation of abandoned mines

Mine recommercialisation is a growing area of interest. Technology used to recover minerals in closed mine sites is improving constantly, and investors are increasingly considering mining within a circular economy.

Queensland has around 120 complex abandoned mine sites that are managed by the department. Several of these sites have potential for recommercialisation due to their tailings storages, stockpiles or remaining in-ground resources.

Recommercialisation opportunity

Our pilot program to release an abandoned mine site for recommercialisation is progressing.

Restricted Area 442 (RA 442) – which includes the Wolfram Camp mine, Bamford Hill mine and surrounding exploration areas – was released as a call for tenders for an exploration permit for minerals (MLR2023-1) in January 2023, and closed on 20 April 2023.

The site includes a former tungsten mine. Demand is growing globally for critical minerals like tungsten, which is used in many renewable technologies such as solar technology and wind turbine blades.

To help inform the tender release, we conducted a market sounding to gain industry feedback on the commercial viability for all or some of RA 442.

We also completed a comprehensive early release of high-quality information on the Wolfram Camp Mine and the surrounding RA 422 exploration area.

Tender awarded

In June 2024, EQ Resources Ltd was granted an Exploration Permit (Minerals) under the Minerals Resources Act 1989, covering the Wolfram Camp Mine, Bamford Hill Mine and surrounding areas (MLR2023-1). Exploration and technical assessment activities are now underway to support potential recommercialisation of the site.

Further information

For more information, email abandonedmines@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au.

Last updated

10 April 2026

Last reviewed

29 June 2023