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Making Paving Stones from Copper Mine Tailings as Aggregates

Author

Listed:
  • Elizabeth J. Lam

    (Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile)

  • Vicente Zetola

    (Construction Management Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta C.P. 1270709, Chile)

  • Yendery Ramírez

    (Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile
    School of Engineering Sciences, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Ítalo L. Montofré

    (Mining Business School, ENM, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile
    Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile)

  • Franco Pereira

    (Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile)

Abstract

Copper mining, the central axis of Chile’s economic development, produces a large number of tailings, which become a potential environmental risk. This study aims to evaluate the mechanical properties resulting from the making of Portland cement mixtures with tailings as aggregates so that they can be eventually used in paving stones for building inactive tailings dams. Tailings coming from two dams at a concentration plant located in Taltal (Chile) were used. Currently, Dam 1 is inactive, while Dam 2 is active. The tailings samples obtained from both dams were granulometrically characterized by sieving. In addition, pH, humidity, Eh, and mineralogical assays (sulfides, oxides, sulfates, carbonates, phosphates, and silicates) were measured. The fines content of the tailings from Dams 1 and 2 with a sieve size of N°200 ASTM were 76.2% and 29.6%, respectively. Therefore, owing to their high percentage of fines, they cannot be as used as concrete aggregates. Aggregates must contain a maximum percentage of fines so that mortars and concrete can meet Chilean standards. In this paper, to comply with a 7% and 15% fines content lower than 0.075 mm, tailings materials were mixed with conventional aggregates containing very little fines. In addition, a reference mixture was made with only tailings aggregates with and without a superplasticizer additive. To measure the mixtures of cement, aggregates, and tailings, bending and compression strength assays were made of the specimens after a 28-day curing, according to the Chilean standard. The results of the study show that the addition of only part of the tailings to the mixture increases bending strength by 26% and compression strength by 180% compared with the reference mortar, with a fines content lower than 0.075 mm in the 7% mixture, thus allowing paving stone manufacture with tailings materials. In addition, it was possible to increase the workability of the reference mixture by using superplasticizers as additives.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth J. Lam & Vicente Zetola & Yendery Ramírez & Ítalo L. Montofré & Franco Pereira, 2020. "Making Paving Stones from Copper Mine Tailings as Aggregates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2448-:d:341175
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Diana Méndez & Fredy Guzmán-Martínez & Mauricio Acosta & Luis Collahuazo & Danilo Ibarra & Luis Lalangui & Samantha Jiménez-Oyola, 2022. "Use of Tailings as a Substitute for Sand in Concrete Blocks Production: Gravimetric Mining Wastes as a Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Elizabeth J. Lam & Italo L. Montofré & Fernando A. Álvarez & Natalia F. Gaete & Diego A. Poblete & Rodrigo J. Rojas, 2020. "Methodology to Prioritize Chilean Tailings Selection, According to Their Potential Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Andrea Lazo & Pamela Lazo & Alejandra Urtubia & María Gabriela Lobos & Henrik K. Hansen & Claudia Gutiérrez, 2022. "An Assessment of the Metal Removal Capability of Endemic Chilean Species," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-14, March.

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