Utilizing Mine Tailings as Substitute Construction Material: The Use of Waste Materials in Roller Compacted Concrete

Mine tailings (MT) have been utilized in previous studies as alternative construction materials to recycle waste products, especially in the production of hollow blocks, bricks, and masonry mortar. This study aims to explore the use of Philex copper-gold mine tailings (PCGMT) in the production of roller compacted concrete (RCC). The mining waste, characterized by finely grinded siliceous particles, was sourced from Tailings Pond number 2 (TP2) of a Philippine copper and gold mining company. A comprehensive experimental program was implemented to assess the comparative compressive strength of RCC containing Porac sand (RCCPS) versus RCC using copper-gold mine tailings (RCCCGMT), as well as the durability of the latter mixed with fly-ash (RCCCGMTFA). Various mixtures were cast and tested with differing cement content levels. The compressive strengths recorded at 28 days for RCCPS ranged from 17 to 37 Mega Pascal (MPa) while RCCCGMT ranged from 17 to 28 MPa, indicating a higher cement requirement for RCCCGMT. Durability tests for RCCCGMTFA showed a remaining strength of 18.7 MPa after 15 wetting and drying cycles, confirming its sufficiency to withstand environmental stresses in the Philippines. The results affirm the potential of using PCGMT from TP2 as a viable substitute fine aggregate in RCC.