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Use of Mine Tailings as Precast Construction Materials through Alkali Activation

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Abstract

A study of the application of mine tailings as precast construction materials through alkali activation has been carried out, focusing on efficiently activating mine tailings, reducing alkali consumption, decreasing curing time and improving compressive strength. Firstly, the effect of temperature on the alkali activation of mine tailings was studied. Secondly, the impact of additives, i.e., calcium hydroxide and aluminum oxide, on the compressive strength of samples was investigated. Thirdly, the impact of forming pressure on sample strength was studied. Test results showed that unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of 40 MPa was achieved with the geopolymerization products through optimization. Finally, to elucidate the geopolymerization mechanism of mine tailings, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques including SEM/EDX, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopy were used to investigate the microstructure and the elemental and phase composition of the geopolymerization products. The findings of the present work provide a practical method for applying mine tailings as precast construction materials through alkali activation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors greatly appreciate industry financial support for the present research work and the publication of the manuscript. J. Zhang is grateful to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. for sponsoring the Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Chair in Mineral Processing in the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering in the University of Arizona. Reviewers’ comments and their suggestions for the future work are greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mineral Processing, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China

    Bo Huang

  2. Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, The University of Arizona, 1235 E. James E. Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Qingming Feng, Dongbo An & Jinhong Zhang

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  1. Bo Huang
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  2. Qingming Feng
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Correspondence to Jinhong Zhang.

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Huang, B., Feng, Q., An, D. et al. Use of Mine Tailings as Precast Construction Materials through Alkali Activation. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 37, 251–265 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-00149-w

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