Turning Mine Pit Water into Opportunity: SeaStock and Regis Lead Algae-Based Innovation
SeaStock Pty Ltd, a Fremantle-based marine science company, has joined forces with gold producer Regis Resources (ASX: RRL) to investigate an unlikely resource for sustainable innovation: mine pit water. Together, the companies are exploring how disused mining infrastructure can be repurposed into large-scale facilities for cultivating Asparagopsis seaweed, a natural feed additive proven to reduce methane emissions from livestock.
The 12-month feasibility study will proceed in three phases; testing and optimising mine pit water conditions, developing biological and engineering designs, and finalising business and commercial models. This is all done before reaching an investment decision. The partnership builds on more than six months of pilot trials, where SeaStock successfully grew Asparagopsis using Regis’ mine water at its Fremantle facility.
For Regis Resources, the collaboration aligns with its strategy of extracting new value from existing assets while supporting decarbonisation. “This initiative has the potential to transform underutilised infrastructure into a commercially viable project that offsets our emissions and generates carbon credits,” said Managing Director Jim Beyer. “If successful, it could also provide long-term employment opportunities in local communities, creating a legacy that extends beyond the mine’s operational life.” SeaStock is already a recognised innovator in Asparagopsis cultivation and extraction. Beyond methane-reducing feed additives, the company’s patented dual-extraction process produces high-value natural compounds that can be used in sectors such as food, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. These co-products, including pigments, antioxidants, and bioactive ingredients, allow SeaStock to diversify revenue streams and make large-scale Asparagopsis production more commercially viable. The Regis project adds another layer of opportunity, demonstrating how mine water can underpin a scalable, low-cost production model.
“This partnership shows how adjacent industries can collaborate to deliver sustainability at scale,” said SeaStock Managing Director Tom Puddy. “By re-using mine infrastructure, we can meet the demand of over 500,000 cattle daily, cut more than 1.3 million tonnes of CO₂e each year, and avoid the environmental challenges of coastal seaweed farming. It’s a pathway to the world’s largest Asparagopsis production facility, right here in Western Australia.”
The project reflects a broader trend in resource innovation. Around the world, algae-based systems are being trialled to treat contaminated mine water, recover valuable metals, and generate biomass for new industries. In Canada, researchers are using microalgae to absorb pollutants and create antioxidant-rich supplements, while CSIRO-led studies in Australia highlight algae’s potential to accelerate mine site rehabilitation and support regional bio-based supply chains.
What sets SeaStock’s approach apart is its integration of environmental outcomes with commercial products already in market. By expanding the potential of Asparagopsis from feed additives to food, cosmetic, and agricultural applications, and now into mine-water cultivation, the company is positioning itself at the frontier of both climate solutions and bio-industrial innovation.
From mine pits to methane reduction, SeaStock’s model demonstrates how waste streams can be converted into value chains, reshaping environmental challenges into sustainable business opportunities.
