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Use of Tailings as a Substitute for Sand in Concrete Blocks Production: Gravimetric Mining Wastes as a Case Study

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  • Diana Méndez

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, Campus Gustavo Galindo km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil 090904, Ecuador)

  • Fredy Guzmán-Martínez

    (Mexican Geological Survey (SGM), Felipe Angeles Blvd., Km. 93.50-4, Pachuca 42083, Mexico)

  • Mauricio Acosta

    (Instituto de Investigación Geológico y Energético, De las Malvas E15-142 y de los Perales-Monteserrín, Quito 170503, Ecuador)

  • Luis Collahuazo

    (Instituto de Investigación Geológico y Energético, De las Malvas E15-142 y de los Perales-Monteserrín, Quito 170503, Ecuador)

  • Danilo Ibarra

    (Instituto de Investigación Geológico y Energético, De las Malvas E15-142 y de los Perales-Monteserrín, Quito 170503, Ecuador)

  • Luis Lalangui

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, Campus Gustavo Galindo km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil 090904, Ecuador)

  • Samantha Jiménez-Oyola

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, Campus Gustavo Galindo km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil 090904, Ecuador)

Abstract

This study assesses the feasibility of reusing tailings from a gold mining area in southern Ecuador in concrete block (CB) manufacturing. For this purpose, physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses were performed to characterize the tailings. Furthermore, the tailing samples were subjected to the European Standard EN 12457-2 leaching test to assess the potential risk of releasing toxic elements (PTE) into the environment. The CBs were made conventionally and replaced 50% and 70% of the sand with tailings. Lastly, mechanical resistance tests (MRTs) were performed to evaluate the indirect tensile strength, compressive strength, and absorption. The study results show that tailings are feasible as a substitute for sand in manufacturing CBs. Furthermore, the leaching tests complied with the set limit for non-hazardous mining wastes. Regarding the MRT, the CBs made with 50% of tailings were the ones that gave the most favorable results; however, the compressive strength and absorption did not comply with the regulations. In this regard, making CBs with less than 50% tailings is recommended to evaluate their mechanical properties. This study offers an alternative for recycling tailings and contributing to the circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:23:p:16285-:d:995128
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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