Recommercialisation opportunities at abandoned mines

Abandoned mines and resource sites occur across Queensland as a result of historical mining activity. While these sites are primarily managed for safety and environmental risks, some may present opportunities for commercial reuse (recommercialisation), depending on site conditions, tenure and land use considerations.

Recommercialisation may include activities such as recovery of residual resource in situ or in waste materials or, in other cases, repurposing of the abandoned mine land. Recommercialisation is subject to regulatory requirements, depending on the type of activity.

This page provides practical guidance for operators and companies considering recommercialisation opportunities.

Our approach

Queensland applies a market‑led approach to recommercialisation, with opportunities identified and progressed by industry—not packaged or promoted by government.

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development administers mineral, coal and petroleum and gas tenure and assesses applications for these under Queensland legislation. Commercial opportunities and project development are led by proponents.

Getting started

There is a range of publicly available information that can help clarify the context of an abandoned mine site and whether a recommercialisation opportunity may be feasible.

1. Site location and mining history

Use GeoResGlobe to check:

  • the location of the abandoned mine site
  • the commodities previously mined
  • whether mineral tenure currently exists over the site.

Explore the Recommercialisation data atlas (see below) for additional mine site information.

2. Existing mineral and land tenure

Use QSpatial (land and mapping data) to check for:

  • an existing exploration permit over the site (EPM or EPC)
  • the type of land tenure (freehold, leasehold or State land).

If an exploration permit exists, the permit holder has exclusive rights to explore for minerals at that site and must be engaged directly.

3. Land access and other interests

Use QSpatial (land and mapping data) and the GSQ Open Data Portal (geoscience data) to understand:

  • who the landholder is
  • whether Native Title interests apply
  • any obvious access or land-use constraints.

Mineral recovery

Mineral and coal recovery activities in Queensland, including activities at abandoned mine sites, are regulated under the Mineral Resources Act 1989.

Proponents proposing mineral exploration, extraction or reprocessing will need to:

  • hold the appropriate tenure
  • obtain required environmental approvals
  • meet consultation requirements.

Learn more about mining tenure and assessment processes.

Get help

Our mines assessment hubs can offer guidance on mining tenure and assessment processes where further assistance is needed.

Note: Providing available site and tenure information for the area of interest can help progress enquiries more effectively.

Repurposing (non‑mining land use)

Some abandoned mine sites may also be suitable for non‑mining uses, such as renewable energy or tourism.

Learn more about non-mining development approvals and land‑use planning in Queensland.

Recommercialisation data atlas

We are progressively releasing information about selected abandoned mines through our open data portal. Datasets include, where available, details about the site, remaining mine features and potential mineral enrichment in mine waste. More datasets will be added over time.

Current datasets include:

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