Mine waste cover systems
Effective management of mine waste requires an understanding of the interaction between local climate, the physical and geochemical properties of waste material and the surrounding environment. Leading practice requires rigorous waste characterisation, materials handling and management strategies to inhibit the weathering of mineralised waste. Cover systems play an important role in controlling Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD) and support the rehabilitation of mine waste held in tailings storage facilities, waste rock dumps or heap leach facilities.
An important component of successful AMD management involves the conduct of rigorous cover system trials. The Office of the Queensland Rehabilitation Commissioner has undertaken work to review national and international literature on mine waste cover trials. This work has been used to develop a leading practice approach to design and implement field-scale trials used to support mine waste cover system design and construction in Queensland.
Publications
Implications for leading practice
- Field-scale trials of cover system designs, December 2025
This Implications for Leading Practice document distils the work undertaken on field-scale mine waste cover system trials and presents our views on how it may be used by those working towards leading practice rehabilitation.
Technical papers
- Mine waste cover system trials – a literature review, May 2025
This Technical Paper reviews the literature and international guidance on mine waste cover system trials, including the factors that should be considered when planning a field-scale trial. - Mine waste cover system trials – a comparative review of case studies, May 2025
This Technical Paper presents findings from a comparative review of selected case studies on mine waste cover system trials and cover system performance. - Mine waste cover system trials – a leading practice approach for field-scale trials in Queensland, May 2025
This Technical Paper describes how to conduct pragmatic, cost-effective field-scale mine waste cover system trials in Queensland.
Conference papers
- The development of a Queensland approach for field-scale trials of mine waste cover system designs, July 2025
This Conference Paper was authored by the Office of the Queensland Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner and was originally published in the conference proceedings for Life of Mine 2025. The paper describes a five-step approach for undertaking field-scale trials of mine waste cover system designs, explains the process taken to develop the approach and demonstrates its relevance for application in Queensland.
We regularly review our leading practice advice, which can result in updates to our publications. To access superseded versions of our publications, visit the Queensland Government’s library catalogue.