Utilizing gold mine tailings to produce sintered bricks. (3rd May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, Zuoan; Zhao, Junkang; Wang, Wensong; Yang, Yonghao; Zhuang, Sunning; Lu, Ting; Hou, Zhenkun
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 282(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-03
• Subjects: Solid waste utilization -- Gold tailings -- Sintered brick -- Sintering process; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122655
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: Test materials are gold tailings and clay. Effects of clay content, forming moisture, firing temperature and holding time. Compressive strength, water absorption, bulk density and loss on ignition. Single factor test and optimization experiment. Abstract: Limited recycling options and large stockpiles of gold tailings lead to a series of social and environmental issues. The recycling of gold tailings is helpful for alleviating these issues. This study investigated the possibility of utilizing gold mine tailings to produce sintered bricks. In the preparation process, clay was introduced as an additive. The effects of clay content, forming moisture, and sintering parameters (such as firing temperature and holding time), on the properties of the sintered bricks were analyzed by single factor tests, and the preparation process was optimized based on the results of these tests. These results indicated that the compressive strength, water absorption, bulk density, and loss on ignition exhibit different correlations with the clay content, forming moisture, and sintering parameters. According to the TG-DSC and XRD analysis, gas generation and mineral decomposition occurred during the sintering process. The sanidine, pyrite, montmorillonite, and calcite were decomposed to form hematite and anorthite. In conclusion, the optimum process parameters for the preparation of the sintered bricks are a clay content of 35%, forming moisture of 25%, firing temperature of 1030 °C, and holding time of 105 min.