Did you know, one of Australia’s largest tin deposits sits in the mining waste stored at the Renison Mine?

The Renison Tailings Retreatment Project or ‘Rentails’, is an innovative project that seeks to unlock the value of minerals in mining waste, known as ‘tailings’, left over from over 130 years of mining.

Tin mining at Renison dates back to the 1890s and the current mine has been in operation for nearly 60 years.

Over that time, mining and processing technology have improved dramatically, making it possible to extract valuable tin and copper from what was previously considered waste.

As global demand grows for these essential metals used in modern technology, electronics, and renewable energy solutions, the Rentails project will create jobs and economic activity for the region.

Jobs and Economic Activity

Up to 400 workers will be required for the construction phase of the project, planned to start in 2027, with an additional 75 permanent jobs during an anticipated 10 to 15 years of operation starting in 2029.

Environment and Sustainability

There are an estimated 27.5 million tonnes of tailings in four tailings dams at the Renison site. The tailings contain residual tin and copper.

Reprocessing these tailings minimises the need to develop new mines while maximising the value of resources that have already been mined.

Extracting metals from existing tailings presents an opportunity to reduce waste, improve site rehabilitation and store tailings in accordance with modern best practices.

The project will enable improved management of the surrounding environment, including water, in accordance with modern standards.

The Rentails project aligns with global efforts to decarbonise, and to meet growing demand for critical and strategic minerals, while promoting sustainable resource use.

Project Location

Renison is located adjacent to the Murchison Highway just south of Lake Pieman, 136 km south of Burnie and 18 km north-east of the township of Zeehan.

Project Scope

The Rentails project will include a modern process plant or ‘concentrator’, a new best-practice tailings storage facility, and supporting infrastructure.

The operational project facilities will be contained within the current registered mining lease, adjacent to the current Renison operations.

Temporary and permanent housing and improvements to infrastructure will also be required. Options for construction accommodation remain under investigation, with expressions of interest received from potential developers and local accommodation providers. Once the approach to construction accommodation is confirmed, BMTJV will consult with the community for feedback to inform the final design and development application.

Project Approvals

BMTJV is progressing Front-End Engineering and Definition (FEED), early contractor engagement, and state and federal approvals processes, in readiness for a final investment decision in late 2026 or early 2027. A Notice of Intent (NOI) was submitted to the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in late 2024. Following a public comment period, the EPA issued final Project Specific Guidelines that Bluestone is using to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act (EMPCA). The EIS will outline anticipated benefits, potential environmental and social impacts, and management strategies, and will be open for public comment. The guidelines can be accessed here.

A Development Application (DA) for the on-lease project facilities will be submitted to West Coast Council alongside the EIS, both will be available for public comment. A separate DA will be required for the proposed construction accommodation village, with further community consultation planned before submission.

The project is also being assessed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC). A key part of this process is identifying and mitigating any impacts on threatened species to the greatest extent possible. The project was referred to the Commonwealth Department for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Following review and public comment, DCCEEW issued guidelines for preparation of a Public Environment Report (PER) addressing matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act. These guidelines can be accessed here.

Community Consultation

Bluestone is committed to keeping key stakeholders and the community informed about the Rentails project. This includes being transparent and providing information throughout the assessment process, following any decision, and throughout the construction and operational phases of the project.

Engagement continues with stakeholders and potentially affected communities regarding key infrastructure, management of impacts, and project benefits, guided by the West Coast Community Plan. In May, BMTJV hosted Aboriginal community members at Renison to share information about operations and planned infrastructure. Cultural and environmental insights from these visits are informing project planning. Similar site visits and drop-in sessions are planned for other community members as the project progresses.

To register your interest in the project, for future updates and consultation sessions, please fill out your details here or email: rentails@bluestonetin.com.au