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Article

Utilizing Iron Ore Tailings for the Development of a Sustainable Alkali-Activated Binder

by
Fabiane Paschoal da Veiga
1,
William Mateus Kubiaki Levandoski
2,
Giovani Jordi Bruschi
2,*,
Mariana Krogel
2,
Maria Alice Piovesan
3,
Deise Trevizan Pelissaro
4,
Pedro Domingos Marques Prietto
1 and
Eduardo Pavan Korf
2
1
Graduate Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo 99052-900, Brazil
2
Graduate Program in Environmental Science and Technology, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Erechim 99700-970, Brazil
3
Department of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Erechim 99700-970, Brazil
4
Department of Civil Engineering, Integrated Regional University of Alto Uruguai and Missões, Erechim 99709-970, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Mining 2025, 5(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining5020026
Submission received: 31 January 2025 / Revised: 21 March 2025 / Accepted: 28 March 2025 / Published: 2 April 2025
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Abstract

The increasing production of iron ore has led to the accumulation of iron ore tailings (IOTs), which pose significant environmental and safety risks when stored in tailings dams. This study investigates the potential of IOTs as a precursor in alkali-activated binder systems, aiming to provide a sustainable solution for mining waste management. Industrial calcium carbide lime and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) were used as activators in varying concentrations (Na2SiO3: 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%; carbide lime: 5%, 7.5%, and 10%), with curing conditions of 23 °C for 7 days. Techniques including unconfined compressive strength tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and metal leaching tests were employed to evaluate the mechanical performance and environmental safety of the alkali-activated binders. The results reveal that a mixture containing 20% Na2SiO3 and 10% carbide lime achieved the highest compressive strength of 0.33 MPa at 7 days. The binder also showed negligible metal leaching, meeting environmental safety standards. These findings confirm the viability of using IOTs in the development of durable, eco-friendly construction materials, offering a scalable and sustainable solution for the management of mining waste and promoting circular economy principles in the construction sector.
Keywords: tailings recycling; alkali-activated materials; circular economy; sustainable construction; mining byproduct utilization tailings recycling; alkali-activated materials; circular economy; sustainable construction; mining byproduct utilization
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MDPI and ACS Style

Veiga, F.P.d.; Levandoski, W.M.K.; Bruschi, G.J.; Krogel, M.; Piovesan, M.A.; Pelissaro, D.T.; Prietto, P.D.M.; Korf, E.P. Utilizing Iron Ore Tailings for the Development of a Sustainable Alkali-Activated Binder. Mining 2025, 5, 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/mining5020026

AMA Style

Veiga FPd, Levandoski WMK, Bruschi GJ, Krogel M, Piovesan MA, Pelissaro DT, Prietto PDM, Korf EP. Utilizing Iron Ore Tailings for the Development of a Sustainable Alkali-Activated Binder. Mining. 2025; 5(2):26. https://doi.org/10.3390/mining5020026

Chicago/Turabian Style

Veiga, Fabiane Paschoal da, William Mateus Kubiaki Levandoski, Giovani Jordi Bruschi, Mariana Krogel, Maria Alice Piovesan, Deise Trevizan Pelissaro, Pedro Domingos Marques Prietto, and Eduardo Pavan Korf. 2025. "Utilizing Iron Ore Tailings for the Development of a Sustainable Alkali-Activated Binder" Mining 5, no. 2: 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/mining5020026

APA Style

Veiga, F. P. d., Levandoski, W. M. K., Bruschi, G. J., Krogel, M., Piovesan, M. A., Pelissaro, D. T., Prietto, P. D. M., & Korf, E. P. (2025). Utilizing Iron Ore Tailings for the Development of a Sustainable Alkali-Activated Binder. Mining, 5(2), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/mining5020026

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