Post-Mining Communities: How Circular Economy Hubs could Transform closed Mine sites in Australia.

By Andrew Hutton| February 2025

Mining communities face a critical challenge: how to reinvent themselves beyond closure of the mine. The current approach to mine closures in NSW have the potential to leave the regions struggling as it is dominated by biodiversity and traditional grazing outcomes which are a remnant of the current Planning and Approval process. However, a new solution is emerging—Circular Economy (CE) Hubs—which integrate waste recovery, renewable energy, sustainable food production, and advanced manufacturing into a self-sustaining industrial ecosystems, particularly in areas that are currently industrial areas with significant infrastructure like high voltage power, water and sheds.

Around the world, former industrial sites are being repurposed into thriving economic hubs that drive investment, create jobs, and position mining regions as leaders in sustainable industries. This article explores case studies of successful CE hubs and examines how an approach that looks outside the current thinking to new things like integrating vertical farming, intensive agriculture, and industrial symbiosis which has the potential to create a high-value, resilient economy post-mining.

Case Studies: Circular Economy Hubs in Action

1. Kalundborg Symbiosis, Denmark – Industrial Resource Sharing

The Kalundborg Symbiosis is one of the world’s best-known circular economy industrial hubs, demonstrating how businesses can exchange energy, water, and materials to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Located in Denmark, this network includes power plants, pharmaceutical companies, and manufacturing industries that share by-products to minimise waste and maximise resource use.

Lessons for a Post-Mining CE Hub:

• Industrial symbiosis can be applied to a mine-adjacent precinct, where industries share energy, water, and waste streams.
• Excess heat from industrial processes can support climate-controlled farming, aquaponics, or feedlot operations.
• Organic waste from intensive agriculture or food processing can be converted into bioenergy, compost, or animal feed.

2. Kwinana Industrial Area, Australia – A Model for Circular Manufacturing

The Kwinana Industrial Area (KIA) in Western Australia is a successful example of circular industry clustering. Located near Perth, KIA businesses share utilities, by-products, and waste streams to create a low-emission, high-efficiency industrial ecosystem.

How This Applies to a Mine Closure CE Hub:

• Mine tailings and quarry by-products can be repurposed into sustainable building materials.
• Renewable energy integration can power agriculture, aquaculture, and intensive animal farming.
• Recycled water from former mining operations can support hydroponic farming and irrigation for feedlots.

3. Zollverein, Germany – From Mining to Sustainable Industries

The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Germany has been transformed into a sustainable innovation hub that combines renewable energy, research, and tourism. Once one of Europe’s largest coal mines, it now houses cultural institutions, technology startups, and a renewable energy centre.

Lessons for a Mine Site CE Hub:

• Mine site infrastructure can be repurposed into food production, tourism, or research facilities.
• Eco-tourism and education can provide additional revenue streams.
• Green energy and agri-tech startups can be incentivised to set up operations in the hub.

Designing a Circular Economy Hub with Intensive Agriculture and Vertical Farming

A post-mining CE hub should incorporate intensive agriculture alongside renewable energy, waste recovery, and manufacturing. This ensures a diverse and resilient economy that can support employment, investment, and environmental sustainability.

1. Vertical Farming & Controlled-Environment Agriculture

One of the most innovative approaches to sustainable food production is vertical farming, which offers year-round, high-yield food production with minimal land and water use.

• Hydroponic and aeroponic systems use 90% less water than conventional agriculture.
• Climate-controlled greenhouses provide optimal conditions for high-value crops such as herbs, berries, and leafy greens.
• Aquaponics combines fish farming with plant growth, creating a closed-loop nutrient system.

Circular Economy Benefits:

• Uses recycled mine water for irrigation.
• Reduces food kilometres by providing locally grown produce to mining communities and cities.
• Uses renewable energy to power farm operations.

Economic Impact:

• Job creation in agritech, food science, and logistics.
• Potential for high-value crop exports to urban markets.

2. Intensive Agriculture & Sustainable Feedlots

To fully utilise the available land, a CE hub could include sustainable livestock farming, feedlots, and alternative protein production.

• Sustainable feedlots can be integrated with bioenergy systems, where animal waste is converted into biogas.
• Alternative protein production (e.g., insect farming, algae-based feeds) can provide low-carbon animal feed.
• Hydroponic fodder systems can be installed within the precinct, reducing the need for imported feed.

Circular Economy Benefits:

• Feedlots can be powered by renewable energy, reducing emissions.
• Animal waste can be converted into organic fertiliser for vertical farms or crops.
• Reclaimed mine land can be used for pasture-based livestock production, supporting local meat and dairy industries.

Economic Impact:

• New jobs in livestock management, feed production, and meat processing.
• Revenue generation from sustainable agriculture supply chains.

3. Renewable Energy Integration

A CE hub must be powered by renewables to ensure long-term sustainability and low operating costs.

Key Technologies:

• Solar and wind farms to provide cheap, clean energy.
• Pumped hydro storage using old mine voids.
• Biogas production from organic waste and animal manure.

Economic Benefits:

• Lowers energy costs for businesses in the hub.
• Creates a low-carbon industrial zone, attracting investment.
• Supports green manufacturing and energy-intensive industries.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Post-Mining Transformation

The transition from mining to a circular economy hub is no longer a hypothetical concept—it is already happening in different parts of the world. By integrating vertical farming, intensive agriculture, renewable energy, and industrial symbiosis, mining communities can become global leaders in sustainable industries.

Forward-thinking regions can embrace circular economy principles to build prosperous, resilient economies. The opportunity is too significant to ignore—and the time to act is now.