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

An estimated 400 workers will be required for the construction phase of the project, with an additional 75 permanent jobs during an anticipated 10 to 15 years of operation.

Environment and Sustainability

There are an estimated 25 million tonnes of tailings in three historic tailings dams at the Renison site.

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.

Project Approvals

Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture (BMTJV) is progressing contractor engagement, engineering and project definition to confirm the project’s feasibility and readiness for execution. This includes seeking necessary state and federal government approvals.

A Notice of Intent (NOI) was submitted to the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in late 2024. The EPA has issued draft Project Specific Guidelines that Bluestone will use to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act (EMPCA).

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.

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.

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