How five Central Queensland mines will transform rubber waste into usable raw materials

Five Central Queensland mines will supply up to 8000 tonnes of mining truck tyres and conveyor belts a year to a company that can process rubber for a new purpose.

Mining truck tyres and conveyor belts will be turned into industrial products in a new move toward sustainable zero-waste at five Central Queensland mine sites.

Anglo American has joined forces with Novum Energy Australia to transform rubber waste products into usable raw materials at its metallurgical coal operations in the Bowen Basin.

Novum will convert rubber from mining truck tyres and conveyor belts at the mine sites into industrial products including heavy and light oils, carbon black, syngas and steel.

Rubber tyres will have a new life thanks to a new sustainability move.

On Friday, Local Government Assistant Minister Nikki Boyd and Banana Shire Mayor Nev Ferrier officially opened Biloela’s Raedon Street Industrial Estate where Novum will begin construction of its thermal recovery processing facility.

Anglo American Metallurgical Coal CEO Tyler Mitchelson said the partnership would create regional employment opportunities as Anglo American shifted towards pursuing circular economy initiatives.

Anglo American has partnered with Novum Energy Australia to recycle mining truck tyres and conveyor belts from all of its metallurgical coal sites in the Bowen Basin. Picture: Contributed

“The new facility is located in the Banana Shire where our Dawson metallurgical coal mine is located,” Mr Mitchelson said.

“We have the opportunity to play a role in reshaping the economy towards a more sustainable path and contribute to creating new industries in the region.”

Novum Energy Australia managing director Rowan Kendall said the new plant at Biloela would be the first of its kind to be constructed in Australia and would employ up to 25 full-time employees once fully operational.

Anglo American has partnered with Novum Energy Australia to recycle mining truck tyres and conveyor belts from all of its metallurgical coal sites in the Bowen Basin. Picture: Contributed

“Our partnership with Anglo American has enabled Novum to construct this industry leading technology in regional Queensland which will be able to process up to 8000 tonnes of waste tyres and conveyor belts each year from 2022,” Mr Kendall said.

“By applying a thermo vacuum technology we aim to use the gas recovered from recycling the rubber to generate electricity to supply power to the processing plant and surplus electricity to EV charging stations to be built onsite.”

Anglo American’s Sustainable Mining Plan sets out ambitious targets to improve the sustainability of operations across the world.

Originally published as How five Central Queensland mines will transform rubber waste into usable raw materials