CRC TiME

What do algae-based biotechnologies have to do with post-mine transitions?   Join us for a deep dive into how algae-based biotechnologies can reduce mining’s environmental footprint by tackling CO₂ biosequestration, Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and mine site rehabilitation. Addressing these environmental risks and impacts is essential to unlocking land and assets for post-mine use.   Don’t miss CSIRO's Dr Anna H. Kaksonen sharing research and real-world applications of these technologies, including highlighting how bio-based solutions can create supply opportunities for local economies.  

Join our workshop on 15 April for nomination tips for the CRC TiME Awards, celebrating excellence in research, collaboration, and community-driven initiatives shaping post-mine transitions. Nominations close on 10 May—learn more and get involved—email hello@crctime.com.au for an invite. Learn more and nominate here: https://bit.ly/4hlbfOb

Find us in Australian Mining Review this week 👇

Young people are the future of improving post-mine outcomes 💡 A huge thank you to The University of Western Australia students who organised and attended the UWA Students of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (SNAGS), AusIMM UWA Student Chapter and CRC TiME industry event on the Life of Mine, focussing on mine closure and transitioning to next land uses. We were very lucky with a line-up of incredible speakers who took the time to take students through the life of mine, challenges and opportunities post-mine, and career pathways. The discussion moved through several topics, including: ⏰️ Time: How long mining timelines can be. Communities might be asked about future land uses decades before it becomes a reality. 🎨 Multidiciplinary skills: How mine closure requires many specialist skill sets, including stakeholder engagement. There is also a need to identify the aspirations of communities and rights-holders using key skills from social sciences and the arts. ✅️ Opportunities: We don't really consider closure as a significant opportunity yet - watch this space. 💲 Liabilities: Planning to fund the liability of mine closure is necessary and complex. Cost esimates continue to be updated throughout the life of mine. 💼 Careers: Consider all the mining-adjacent roles. Mining requires geologists, chemists, mechanics, botanists, qualitative researchers, lawyers, economists... Thank you to the panel, Chantal Latham, Darren Springer, Christian Miller-Sabbioni, Lucy Commander and Guy Boggs. And last but not least, the champion organiser and moderator, Jasmin Bentink and her colleagues. Finally, three central pieces of advice to take away: 1️⃣ Begin with the end in mind. 2️⃣ If you can't close it, don't open it. 3️⃣ Never stop learning.

Did you know that many conservation strategies have yet to be tested in the field? That’s why we were excited to show NRM South, NRM North, NRM Cradle Coast, Landcare Tasmania and Department of State Growth (Tas) one of five pilot sites nationally testing climate-adapted native seed sourcing strategies yesterday. The Heidelberg Materials Australia site hosting the pilot is a former quarry. Attendees confirmed the huge opportunity to share the research widely across the Tasmanian restoration and conservation and mining sectors. Thank you to project leader Rebecca Jordan, the Heidelberg Materials Australia team and attendees for a fantastic day. See comments to links for more information.

Our March 2025 newsletter is out now! This edition focuses on post-mine land use.

We can't kelp ourselves, the algae news keeps coming ☘️ Anna H. Kaksonen and her team's Stage 1 project on algae-based technologies in mine site water has featured in Australian Mining: 'A groundbreaking report led by senior CSIRO principal research scientist Dr. Anna H. Kaksonen demonstrates how algal technologies could be imperative to the mining industry and environment. “Algal technologies offer exciting opportunities for mine sites for mine water treatment, mine waste stabilisation, dust suppression and creating topsoil for improving plant growth during rehabilitation,” Kaksonen said.' Read a summary of the project's findings: https://lnkd.in/g3rA5jU4 Hear Anna present the findings in April via webinar: https://lnkd.in/gvymvYUh

Dr Anna H. Kaksonen of CSIRO was recently featured on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)’s Northern WA Rural Report in an interview (10:30 - 14:59 M) with Alys Marshall, where she discussed her latest project report, 'Algae-based technologies for improved environmental outcomes and sustainable post-mining futures. 📖 Read the report here: https://bit.ly/4c4SQUO 📅 Register for Anna's upcoming Dig Deeper Webinar: https://bit.ly/3XygoLP Thanks to the project partners: The University of Queensland, Murdoch University, South32, Fortescue, Rio Tinto, Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), Heidelberg Materials, Queensland Government, and EnergyAustralia

The recording for 'Dig Deeper Webinar - Lessons from structural change in Saxony, Germany' is now available. In this webinar, Dr Friedrich Dornbusch and Dr Benjamin Klement of the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI Group explore the social and economic aspects of the completion of coal mining in Saxony, Germany, including ways of using data, AI and innovation systems to support quality of life and future opportunities.

Algae is making a splash with its benefits for post-mine land uses ☘️ Dr Anna H. Kaksonen, Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, has published a report with colleagues on growing algae in mine site water. The Stage 1 project found that cultivating algal biomass in contaminated mine site water could unlock notable environmental and economic benefits, particularly for mine closure and post-mine land uses, and for Traditional Owners and regional communities. Next steps would include laboratory-scale evaluations to identify the most promising technologies for scale-up and further demonstration. 💻 Register for a webinar on 30 April to hear Anna present her team's findings: https://lnkd.in/gvymvYUh 📰 Read the media release: https://lnkd.in/gFtmScgV 📜 Read the fact sheet summarising the project's methodology and findings: https://lnkd.in/gBQzW55G 📩 Get in touch for interest in Stage 2 of this project: hello@crctime.com.au Thank you to project partners for supporting this work: CSIRO, The University of Queensland, Murdoch University, South32, Fortescue, Rio Tinto, Heidelberg Materials, Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), Office of the Queensland Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner, EnergyAustralia.