Article
Construction & Building Technology
Vinodhkumar Shanmugasundaram, Balaji Shanmugam
Summary: The study evaluates the use of magnesite mine tailings (MMT) as subgrade in road construction by adding ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Various tests were conducted to analyze the compaction characteristics, strength, durability, and leaching characteristics of OPC-MMT mixes. XRD, FESEM, and EDX analyses were carried out to explore the stabilisation mechanisms. The results show that adding OPC improves the density and strength of the mixes, and the stabilized mixes meet environmental regulatory limits.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Ali Aras, Muhammad Hashim Rasa
Summary: Recovering cobalt from tailings of the Kure flotation plant was successfully achieved through froth flotation. By optimizing the pH, pH conditioning time, and reagent dosages, a concentrate with a cobalt grade of 0.46% and a recovery of 84.15% was obtained in the rougher flotation tests. The cobalt grade and recovery further increased to 0.49% and 90.56% respectively in the cleaner flotation tests. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of froth flotation as a method for recovering cobalt from flotation plant tailings.
MINING METALLURGY & EXPLORATION
(2023)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Zhengdong Han, Artem Golev, Mansour Edraki
Summary: Tungsten is a critical metal with unique properties and economic importance, used in various industries for its hardness, density, wear resistance, and high-temperature capabilities. The primary tungsten minerals are wolframite and scheelite, with limited secondary resources. While there are no reported concerns for tungsten toxicity, tungsten tailings and residues pose significant risks to human health and the environment. Reprocessing of tungsten tailings using techniques like enhanced gravity separation and bioleaching may play a key role in the future.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Oded Elazar, Ronit Kessel, Jin-Xiang Huang, Katharina Marquardt, Oded Navon
Summary: The study identified fluid/melt microinclusions in dusty garnets from the Roberts Victor mine in South Africa, which contain water, CO2, carbonate, and other elements that are enriched relative to the host garnet. The composition of the microinclusions resembles high-density fluids trapped in diamonds, suggesting a role of diamond forming fluids in mantle metasomatism.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alba Gomez-Arias, Lola Yesares, Manuel A. Caraballo, Maleke Maleke, Danie Vermeulen, Jose M. Nieto, Esta van Heerden, Julio Castillo
Summary: The study characterized alkaline tailing ponds and waste rock dumps from PIC, finding samples with high neutralization potential suitable for neutralizing acid wastewater as alkaline reagents, and classified PIC wastes as non-hazardous according to South African regulations. The research also revealed that the wastes mainly release sulphates and non-toxic elements, with low concentrations of radionuclides below acceptable standards.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2021)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Verity Fitch, Anita Parbhakar-Fox, Richard Crane, Laura Newsome
Summary: Historic tailings dams and associated mine waste can pose significant risks to human and environmental health. This paper uses the Wheal Maid mine site in Cornwall, UK, as an example to discuss the evolution of a tailings storage facility after mining has ceased. The study reviews current understanding of the geochemistry, mineralogy, and microbiology of the Wheal Maid tailings, and presents new data on waste characterization and laboratory oxidation experiments. Notably, the presence of pyrite-bearing Grey Tailings at Wheal Maid raises questions about why pyrite oxidation has not occurred, suggesting potential mechanisms such as microbial Fe(II) oxidation inhibition, passivation of pyrite mineral surfaces, and the abundance of euhedral pyrite grains. Further research in these areas is crucial for designing future tailings facilities and managing associated acidic and metalliferous mine drainage (AMD).
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruihuan Chen, Zhenlin Pan, Shuyi Chu, Jibo Xiao, Rengui Weng, Da Ouyang, Yunlong Yang, Xiangting Wu, Zhida Huang
Summary: A non-sintered ceramsite prepared with pyrite tailings was reported as an effective material for phosphorus control, showing high removal ability and stability. The optimized recipe for the ceramsite was determined, and its performance met the Chinese National Standard requirements. This research provides a new pathway for the recycling of pyrite tailings.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Yao Wang, Dan Xu, Shan Gao, Qi Chen, Dayi Zhou, Xin Fan, Xin-Jian Li, Lijie Chang, Yuewen Zhang, Hongan Ma, Xiao-Peng Jia
Summary: In this study, we modified pyrite by exploiting the reducibility of aluminum under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, which effectively improved its conductivity. We also found that high pressure enhances the thermal stability of pyrite. In addition, we explored the influence of aluminum addition on the hardness and toughness of pyrite samples through hardness and density tests.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhang Xiaolong, Zhang Shiyu, Liu Hui, Zhao Yingliang
Summary: Mining plays a crucial role in human history, but also has negative impacts on the environment and health. Mine tailings are a significant threat from ore processing. Geopolymerization offers a promising approach to recycle mine tailings and convert waste into value.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Mingxue Ma, Vivian WY. Tam, Khoa N. Le, Robert Osei-Kyei
Summary: The significant increase in construction activities has resulted in a large amount of construction and demolition waste, with recycling being considered the ideal solution. However, the slow adoption of recycled concrete is mainly due to quality and price concerns. Investigating the factors affecting the price of recycled concrete is crucial for controlling the price and improving its financial viability.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Leticia Patricio Ferreira, Thuani Gesser Mueller, Maykon Cargnin, Camila Machado de Oliveira, Michael Peterson
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the valorization of waste and effluent generated during coal mining pyrite processing, through leaching, vacuum filtration, and ethyl alcohol addition processes. The results showed that the solid beneficiation waste can be used for energy generation, while distillation and ethyl alcohol treatment of effluents produced valuable by-products: CaSO4·2H2O and FeSO4·7H2O, as well as hematite via heat treatment of ferrous sulfate.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Suheyl Erturk, Muge Sari Yilmaz, Sabriye Piskin
Summary: In this study, mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) was synthesized from mesoporous silica prepared from gold mine tailings for removal of anionic dye from aqueous solution. The effect of carbonization time, pH, contact time, and initial dye concentration on the adsorption process was investigated. Results showed that CMK-3 from gold mine tailings could be a cost-effective alternative to pure silica for dye removal.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Hee Sue Lee, Sungyup Jung, Kun-Yi Andrew Lin, Eilhann E. Kwon, Jechan Lee
Summary: Rapidly changing fashion trends have resulted in a large amount of textile waste globally. Textile waste, which consists of various substances, poses challenges for recycling due to its inhomogeneity and complexity. Pyrolysis, a thermochemical process, can upcycle textile waste into value added products. This article provides a systematic review of pyrolysis processes for upcycling textile waste, discussing challenges and recommending future research needs. Despite these challenges, pyrolysis can be an effective end-of-life option for textile waste with continuous research and development.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nathalia Silva de Souza Lima Cano, Eleni Iacovidou, Emilia Wanda Rutkowski
Summary: This article examines the terminology used to describe recycling value chains globally and provides an overview of the current state of MSW recyclable waste materials management in developed and developing economies. It proposes a typology for describing recyclable waste material management and highlights the complex, context-specific nature of recycling value chains. The study emphasizes the importance of governance in coordinating recycling networks and improving recycling performance.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Caterina Sgarlata, Alessandra Formia, Cristina Siligardi, Francesco Ferrari, Cristina Leonelli
Summary: The study focused on the influence of high temperature treatment of clay by-products on the microstructure of geopolymers, showing that properly calcined clay can lead to AAMs with good chemical stability and dense microstructure.