The Pit to Port Resource Circularity Project is a strategic, multi-phased initiative aimed at understanding circular economy principles across the value chain of BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Caval Ridge Mine and Hay Point Coal Terminal operations in Queensland. The project is being started by the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) – an independent innovation hub based in Mackay, Queensland – in collaboration with BMA and circular economy experts, Coreo and Metabolic, to help bring the idea to the wider region. 

The project began with a pilot to explore how one mine and port could help bring circular economy ideas to the wider resources sector. The team studied how materials move through the region, spoke to stakeholders and looked at where the biggest impacts happened. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the team mapped material flows and assessed embodied impacts to uncover 44 circular initiatives. These ideas were then ranked based on how much they could help environmentally, economically, socially and culturally.  

As a result of the project findings, the Bowen Basin Circular Consortium, led by the RCOE, was established. It comprised key stakeholders from government, industry, education providers, researchers, peak bodies and community members to drive the implementation of the project’s recommendations and initiatives. 

Three high-potential initiatives were selected for implementation, with funding support from the Queensland Government’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development: 

• Tungsten circularity mapping – A first-of-its-kind study exploring the lifecycle of products containing tungsten, highlighting opportunities to extend product life and strengthen domestic processing capabilities. 
• Multi-mine circular resource recovery facility – A facility prospectus targeting 10 priority materials for recovery across the local mining sector. 
• Full value realisation of metallurgical coal tailings – A flagship project transforming coal tailings from waste into a multi-stage value recovery process. 

These initiatives are being implemented as real-world test cases for scalable, regional-level circular solutions. The next phase will focus on scaling pilot projects, formalising partnerships with recyclers and infrastructure providers, and securing investment and sites for new circular economy infrastructure. 

By fostering collaboration across industry, government, and research, the Pit to Port Project is helping build a more resilient, resource-efficient future for Queensland’s mining sector – where waste is designed out, materials are reused locally, and environmental and economic outcomes are enhanced.