Breaking critical barriers in soil formation of bauxite residues (2020–2024)
Abstract:
Conventional methods of bauxite residue rehabilitation require expensive and unsustainable covering topsoil.
Building on recent breakthroughs in eco-engineering tailings into soil, the project aims to develop a field-based
technology using marine microbes and halophytic plants to accelerate in-situ soil formation from bauxite residues
(incl seawater neutralised bauxite residues) under field conditions. The technology will be underpinned by
understanding the roles of marine microbe consortia and eco-engineering inputs in accelerating key mineralogical,
geochemical, physical and biological changes in bauxite residues. This technology is expected to be transferable
and adaptable across other alumina refineries in Australia.