Recovery of Mining Wastes in Building Materials: A Review

The use of materials from waste in buildings compensates for the lack of natural resources, solves the problem of waste management, and provides an alternative technique for protection of the environment. This review assesses mining waste in concrete as a substitute for aggregates and cement; in fired bricks as a substitute for soil; and in road backfill as a substitute for soil. It reviews some mining tailings, mine waste rocks, and slags obtained in the exploitation and processing of ores including iron, gold, lead, phosphate, copper, and coal. The study examines the physical, mechanical, chemical properties, heavy metal content, mineralogic composition, geotechnical properties, and environmental properties (leaching test) of the mine wastes. Results indicate that the physical, mechanical, and environmental properties of materials obtained by substituting raw materials with mine waste were comparable to reference materials. Mining waste in cementitious materials offers good compressive strengths, while the porosity of concrete may influence its toxicity. Additionally, waste in fired bricks, fired at temperatures of 900 ˚C or more, displays convincing compressive and flexural strengths. The findings underscore the potential for utilizing mining wastes effectively in construction.