​Conference Overview

​

As Queensland’s mining sector enters a new era of accelerated critical minerals development, climate volatility, and increasingly stringent environmental regulation, the expectations placed on rehabilitation, water management and mine closure have never been higher.

​

The 2026 Queensland Mine Rehabilitation, Closure & Water in Mining Conference brings together leading regulators, mining companies, environmental practitioners, researchers, and technical specialists to address the full environmental lifecycle of mining—from soil reconstruction and ecosystem restoration through to water stewardship, closure delivery and long-term liability management.

​

Across 2 intensive days, the program examines how industry is responding to rising regulatory pressure, evolving climate risk, and growing community expectations for genuine, measurable post-mining environmental outcomes.

​

This is no longer a discussion about compliance alone. It is about how mining leaves the landscape behind -and whether those landscapes are truly sustainable.

​

DAY 1 – Mine Rehabilitation, Soil Systems & Ecosystem Recovery

Day 1 focuses on the foundation of closure success: soil, landform stability and ecological function.

​

Rehabilitation outcomes are now measured not just by vegetation cover or compliance sign-off, but by the ability of reconstructed soil systems to function as living, self-sustaining ecosystems under future climate conditions.

​

This program explores the science and practice of rebuilding landscapes after mining, including manufactured soils, topsoil management, erosion control, contamination risk, ecosystem restoration and nature-positive rehabilitation design.

Delegates will hear how Queensland’s evolving regulatory frameworks—including PRCP requirements and critical minerals approvals -are reshaping rehabilitation expectations and increasing scrutiny on long-term landform performance and liability.

​

From soil microbiology and carbon recovery through to landform engineering and biodiversity outcomes, Day 1 provides a practical and science-driven examination of how mining landscapes are being rebuilt for the long term.

​

Key focus areas include:

• Manufactured soils and functional growth media design

• Rehabilitation compliance and critical minerals regulation

• Soil contamination and legacy site management

• Landform stability, erosion and sediment control

• Climate-resilient rehabilitation design

• Soil biology, carbon recovery and ecosystem function

• Nature-positive closure and biodiversity outcomes

• Long-term stewardship and NUMA planning

​

DAY 2 – Mine Closure, Water Management & Environmental Risk

Day 2 expands the focus to one of the most complex and enduring challenges in mining: water.

​

As regulatory expectations tighten and climate variability intensifies, water has become a defining factor in mine closure success or failure. From pit lakes and tailings facilities to acid drainage systems and groundwater rebound, water is now central to both operational performance and long-term environmental liability.

​

This program examines how Queensland’s mining sector is adapting to stricter groundwater protection standards, closed-loop water systems, advanced treatment technologies, PFAS contamination challenges, and increasing scrutiny on post-closure stewardship.

​

Delegates will also explore global best practice in mine closure, emerging regulatory reforms, and the growing opportunity-and risk -associated with transitioning mine water infrastructure into potential post-mining regional assets.

​

Key focus areas include:

• Accelerated project approvals and closure implications

• International mine closure lessons (Chile, Brazil, Queensland)

• Absolute groundwater protection standards and regulatory change

• Pit lakes, tailings water and long-term closure risk

• Advanced water treatment and PFAS management

• Climate-driven impacts on AMD and contaminant mobility

• Closed-loop water systems and operational resilience

• Decentralised water supply and remote mine infrastructure

​

Who should attend? 

​

This conference is essential for professionals working across mining, environment, water, closure, rehabilitation and regulatory systems, including:

• Mining companies and asset managers

• Mine closure, rehabilitation and environmental managers

• Water engineers, hydrologists and geochemists

• Tailings, geotechnical and environmental engineers

• ESG, sustainability and compliance professionals

• Regulators and government agencies

• Environmental consultants and advisory firms

• Researchers, universities and technical institutes

• Rehabilitation contractors and delivery specialists

• Technology providers in water treatment and monitoring

• Civil, landform and closure engineering practitioners

​

Why attend? 

This conference delivers a rare, integrated view of mining’s environmental future- linking soil systems, water management and closure strategy into one cohesive narrative.

​

Delegates will gain practical insight into:

​

• How Queensland’s regulatory reforms are reshaping rehabilitation and closure expectations

• The transition from legacy compliance models to performance-based environmental accountability

• Emerging technologies in soil reconstruction, water treatment and contamination management

• Climate-driven risks impacting mine closure design and long-term stability

• PFAS, AMD and legacy contamination challenges across mine life cycles

• International best practice in closure, relinquishment and environmental stewardship

• The future role of mine water infrastructure in regional and post-mining landscapes

​

Together, Day 1 and Day 2 provide a complete environmental lifecycle perspective of modern mining.

From rebuilding soil systems and restoring ecological function, through to managing water, reducing long-term liabilities and delivering sustainable closure outcomes, this program reflects the evolving reality of mining in Queensland.

​

This is where science meets regulation, where engineering meets ecology, and where closure becomes a long-term environmental commitment - not a final step.

​

Why attend both days? 

​

You can choose 1 or both days  - however,  by attending the full 2-day program, delegates will gain a complete understanding of the interconnected systems shaping mine closure success:

• Soil rehabilitation and ecosystem recovery

• Water treatment, management and long-term stewardship

• Closure planning and regulatory compliance

• Climate resilience and extreme weather adaptation

• Contamination, PFAS and legacy risk management

• ESG performance and environmental accountability

• Post-mining land use and relinquishment pathways

​

This is a critical moment for the mining sector.

 

As expectations rise and environmental scrutiny intensifies, the ability to deliver credible rehabilitation and responsible closure outcomes is becoming central to project approval, investment confidence and long-term social licence.

​

Join industry leaders, regulators and technical experts in Townsville for 2 days that will define how Queensland approaches mine rehabilitation, water management and closure in the decade ahead.