2025 Webinar: Mine-Based Geothermal Energy: Lessons from Abroad and Prospects for Australia

As part of the Australian Geothermal Association's webinar series, we heard from the University of Wollongong's Pabasara Kumari, discussing the emerging field of mine-based geothermal energy, with a focus on how consistent thermodynamic conditions found in mine environments can be harnessed for heating and cooling applications. Selected international case studies from the Netherlands, Canada, and the UK were examined, highlighting key technical challenges, such as resource assessment and thermal energy transfer. The analysis also featured a geospatial analysis, illustrating how Australian mining regions could leverage this technology, with a focus on converting decommissioned mines into sustainable energy sources.

Presenter:

Dr Pabasara Kumari is a lecturer in geotechnical engineering at the School of Civil Mining Environmental and Architecture Engineering of the University of Wollongong. She received her PhD from Monash University in 2018. Her research interests include geomechanics applications for deep and shallow geothermal extraction and waste utilization for geotechnical engineering applications. She is a recipient of the 2024 Discovery Early Career Research Award from the Australian Research Council which supports her current research focus on investigating “Geothermal heat recovery and energy storage from underground mines”.

AGA Members have access to a recording of the presentation and the slide deck in the section below.