Reuse potentials of copper mine tailings in mortar and concrete composites
The disposal of copper mine tailings (CMT) in finite containment facilities near mine sites is a serious human safety and environmental management challenge in most copper-producing countries of the world. Therefore, this study evaluates the reuse potential of the CMT as a 0%–30% partial substitute material for cement in paste, mortar, and concrete mixtures. The CMT was characterized first, and thereafter its effects on the performance of cement paste and mortar were evaluated via normal consistency, setting time, strength activity index (SAI), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy analysis, and autoclave expansion tests. Mechanical strength evolution of CMT-blended concrete mixtures exposed to water-curing and a sulfate-rich environment was also monitored for about a year. Cement paste and mortar test results indicate that while the CMT led to a slight increase in water demand and set …
