Potential of copper tailings as fine aggregates in cement mortar

Authors: Gutiérrez, MV; Gómez, R; Alcayaga, A; Avudaiappan, S; Betancourt, F Download Paper

Cite As:
Gutiérrez, MV, Gómez, R, Alcayaga, A, Avudaiappan, S & Betancourt, F 2024, 'Potential of copper tailings as fine aggregates in cement mortar', in Daniel Johansson & Håkan Schunnesson (eds), MassMin 2024: Proceedings of the International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, pp. 1130-1139.



Abstract:
The mining industry generates large amounts of waste to achieve the extraction of the elements of interest from the earth's crust, in particular the massive copper mining. The copper is increasingly necessary to achieve the global energy transition goals defined by the UN for 2050. Therefore, it is key to generate an increasingly sustainable industry, minimizing environmental impact. In this work, the mechanical properties (compression strength and flexion strength) of concrete samples with different portions of copper mine tailing (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) replacing the fine aggregate were analyzed. The results of the study showed that the compression and flexural strengths increased compared with concrete without tailing (control) when is replaced 10 and 20% of fine aggregate with tailing. In samples with 30% of replacing both strengths have similar values. Nevertheless, with higher percentage of replacement both strengths evaluated decreased. In summary, noticeable changes were observed in workability, density, and mechanical strength of the material in relation to the amount of tailings. These results, combined with the detailed elemental composition analysis of the tailings, provide an encompassing view of the impacts of this component on mortar properties. In conclusion, the study provides evidence that the copper tailing replaced has potential as an option to produce sustainable concrete with improved mechanical properties, generating a positive environmental impact.