Tellus Holdings

Tellus Holdings is an Australian environmental services company specializing in the management and permanent isolation of hazardous, intractable, and low-level radioactive waste. Founded in 2009 by Duncan van der Merwe, the company addresses the growing need for safe, long-term waste solutions for industries such as mining, oil and gas, healthcare, and government. Van der Merwe, who served as Managing Director for 11 years, established the company after identifying the potential for geological repositories in Australia, a concept he first encountered while working in investment banking on waste management projects.

The company's business model is centered on a dual revenue stream: the excavation and sale of kaolin clay and the subsequent use of the mine voids for waste storage and isolation. This approach is exemplified by its flagship project, the Sandy Ridge Facility in Western Australia. Located in a remote and geologically stable area, Sandy Ridge is Australia's first and only commercial near-surface geological repository. It began operations in 2020 after a comprehensive nine-year regulatory approval process. The facility is licensed to accept up to 280,000 tonnes of hazardous materials annually and is distinguished by its multi-barrier safety case, which combines natural geological barriers with engineered controls like an air dome to ensure long-term containment.

Tellus provides end-to-end services, including the packaging, transport, storage, recycling, and permanent isolation of waste materials. A key offering is the Tellus Permanent Isolation Certificate™ (PIC), which provides clients with a guarantee that their liability for the waste is permanently eliminated. The company serves Tier 1 companies, government bodies, and diverse communities, partnering with firms like Toll Group for logistics to offer a comprehensive service. Tellus has received significant investments, including a recent $240 million corporate debt facility, to support its growth and the construction of a second waste cell at Sandy Ridge.

Keywords: hazardous waste management, geological repository, environmental services, permanent waste isolation, kaolin mining, Sandy Ridge Facility, waste disposal, circular economy, low-level radioactive waste, industrial waste solutions, sustainable waste management, Australian infrastructure, waste transport, intractable waste, contaminated site remediation, dual revenue model, environmental liability, asset management, Tellus Permanent Isolation Certificate, waste storage