Two trials by the WA-based Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Resource Processing (CSRP) are using treated mineral residue for road base and nutrient filters.

The project is part of a technology revolution led by WA researchers to convert a wide range of mining and energy sector wastes to commercial products.

Centre chief executive Stevan Green said the current programs effectively recast waste materials as useful products.

“We have made some major advances in recent years to develop the technology for converting mining and energy sector residues into potentially valuable construction and agricultural materials,” Mr Green said.

In the first trial, more than 2500 cubic metres of sand was extracted from bauxite residue and used as road base to widen the Greenlands Road access to the new highway near Pinjarra.

The company developed a concept called ReSand where sand sourced from recovered materials is compared to conventionally sourced quarry sand.

Mr Green said recovering construction sand from mineral residues would have a range of potential benefits including less clearing of bushland for sand quarries and less demand for expensive waste residue containment facilities.

“These benefits can lead to reduced costs, less energy and water use and lower greenhouse gas emissions.”

In the second trial on the highway a nutrient trap was installed on the side of the road.

The trap collects water run-off and removes nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates, to help prevent algal blooms in the surrounding waterways.