Hybrid cements from mining tailings for possible uses in construction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.redin.20250673Keywords:
Alkaline Activated Cements, Hybrid Cements, Construction Materials, Mine Tailings, GeopolymersAbstract
The Department of Antioquia, Colombia, produces 47% of the mining tailings linked to national gold extraction. These residues, stored in dam-like deposits, contain toxic substances such as heavy metals, posing serious risks to the environment and public health. Due to their high silica and alumina content, these tailings could be repurposed as alternative cementitious materials. Hybrid cements, formed by combining Portland cement with alkaline-activated materials, offer a lower environmental impact and support circular economy practices. In this study, the potential use of Antioquia’s mining tailings as precursors for hybrid cement production was evaluated. Sodium carbonate and sodium silicate were used as alkaline activators, and curing was performed at room temperature. The tailings’ chemical composition showed suitable levels of silica and alumina for geopolymer synthesis. Concrete specimens were prepared using hybrid cement and three types of aggregates: sand, coarse tailings, and recycled polymer. After 28 days of curing, the highest compressive strength was 568.6 kN ± 6.1 with coarse tailings, followed by 550.3 kN ± 7.9 with sand, and 325.3 kN ± 7.5 with recycled polymer. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using mining residues in sustainable construction applications.
Downloads
References
K. Scrivener, V. John, and E. Gartner, “Eco-efficient cements: Potential economically viable solutions for a low-co2 cement-based materials industry,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 114, Dec. 2018. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2018.03.015
C. Chen, G. Habert, Y. Bouzidi, and A. Jullien, “Environmental impact of cement production: detail of the different processes and cement plant variability evaluation,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 18, no. 5, Mar. 2010. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2009.12.014
P. Wongsasuluk, A. Tun, S. Chotpantarat, and W. Siriwong, “Related health risk assessment of exposure to arsenic and some heavy metals in gold mines in banmauk township, myanmar,”Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 22843, Nov. 2021. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02171-9
M. Fashola, V. Ngole-Jeme, and O. Babalola, “Heavy metal pollution from gold mines: Environmental effects and bacterial strategies for resistance,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 13, no. 11, Nov. 2016. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13111047
H. Tchakouté, C. Rüscher, S. Kong, E. Kamseu, and C. Leonelli, “Geopolymer binders from metakaolin using sodium waterglass from waste glass and rice husk ash as alternative activators: A comparative study,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 114, Jul. 2016. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.03.184
X. Somoza-Medina, Para o Desenvolvimento Ambiental, Cultural e Socioeconômico II, 2nd ed. Brasil: Editora Artemis, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368852027_Ciencia_e_Tecnologia_para_o_Desenvolvimento_Ambiental_Cultural_e_Socioeconomico_II
C. Shi, A. Fernández-Jiménez, and A. Palomo, “New cements for the 21st century: The pursuit of an alternative to portland cement,”Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 41, no. 7, Jul. 2011. [Online].Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2011.03.016
J. Provis, A. Palomo, and C. Shi, “Advances in understanding alkali-activated materials,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 78, Dec. 2015. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2015.04.013
A. Palomo, P. Monteiro, P. Martauz, V. Bilek, and A. Fernandez-Jimenez, “Hybrid binders: A journey from the past to a sustainable future (opus caementicium futurum),” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 124, Oct. 2019. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2019.105829
W. Wang and T. Noguchi, “Alkali-silica reaction (asr) in the alkali-activated cement (aac) system: A state-of-the-art review,”Construction and Building Materials, vol. 252, Aug. 2020. [Online].Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2020.119105
L. Xue, Z. Zhang, and H. Wang, “Hydration mechanisms and durability of hybrid alkaline cements (hacs): A review,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 266, Jan. 10, 2021. [Online]. Available:http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2020.121039
I. Garcia-Lodeiro, A. Palomo, A. Fernández-Jiménez, and D. MacPhee, “Compatibility studies between N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gels. Study in the ternary diagram Na2O–CaO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 41, no. 9, Sep. 2011. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2011.05.006
I. Garcia-Lodeiro, A. Fernandez-Jimenez, and A. Palomo, “Hydration kinetics in hybrid binders: Early reaction stages,” Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 39, May. 2013. [Online]. Available:http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONCOMP.2013.03.025
M. Askarian, Z. Tao, G. Adam, and B. Samali, “Mechanical properties of ambient cured one-part hybrid opc-geopolymer concrete,”Construction and Building Materials, vol. 186, Oct. 20 2018. [Online].Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2018.07.160
P. Kinnunen, J. Yliniemi, B. Talling, and M. Illikainen, “Rockwool waste in fly ash geopolymer composites,” Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, vol. 19, 2017. [Online]. Available:http://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-016-0514-z
R. Henning, P. Sturm, D. Geddes, S. Keßler, B. Walkley, and G. Gluth, “The influence of curing temperature on the strength and phase assemblage of hybrid cements based on ggbfs/fa blends,”Frontiers in Materials, vol. 9, Sep. 19, 2022. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2022.982568
L. Xue, Z. Zhang, and H. Wang, “Early hydration kinetics and microstructure development of hybrid alkali activated cements (haacs) at room temperature,” Cement and Concrete Composites,vol. 123, Oct. 2021. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONCOMP.2021.104200
A. M. de los Reyes, J. Suárez-Navarro, M. Alonso, C. Gascó, I. Sobrados, and F. Puertas, “Hybrid cements: Mechanical properties, microstructure and radiological behavior,” Molecules,vol. 27, no. 2, Jan. 2022. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27020498
Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), “Moving to performance-based cement and concrete standards in europe,” Bruseels, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://ecostandard.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-02_ECOS_PP_international-perspective-cement-concrete-standards.pdf
N. Cristelo, I. García-Lodeiro, J. F. Rivera, T. Miranda, A. Palomo, and et al., “One-part hybrid cements from fly ash and electric arc furnace slag activated by sodium sulphate or sodium chloride,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 44, Dec. 2021. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOBE.2021.103298
N. T. N. C. 121, “Ingeniería civil y arquitectura. cemento pórtland. especificaciones físicas y mecánicas,” Instituto Colombiano de Normas Técnicas y Certificación (ICONTEC), Santa Fé de Bogotá, CO, Tech. Rep. NTC 121, May. 1982. [Online]. Available: https://www.academia.edu/39006642/NORMA_T%C3%89CNICA_NTC_COLOMBIANA_121
Relaciones Humedad-Peso Unitario Seco En Los Suelos (Ensayo Modificado De Compactación) INV-E-142-13, Normas y Especificaciones INVIAS, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://tinyurl.com/369pmkek
C. Zhu, I. Pundienė, J. Pranckevičienė, and M. Kligys, “Effects of Na2CO3/Na2SiO3 Ratio and Curing Temperature on the Structure Formation of Alkali-Activated High-Carbon Biomass Fly Ash Pastes,” Materials, vol. 15, no. 23, Nov. 24, 2022. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238354
Y. Wang, S. Tae, R. Lin, and X. Wang, “Effects of Na2CO3 on engineering properties of cement–limestone powder–slag ternary blends,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 57, Oct. 01, 2022.[Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104937
P. Arokiasamy, M. M. A. Bakri-Abdullah, S. Z. Abd-Rahim, M. Sadique, L. Y. Ming, M. A. A. Mohd-Salleh, and et al., “Diverse material based geopolymer towards heavy metals removal: a review,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 22, Jan-Feb 2023. [Online]. Available:http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JMRT.2022.11.100
“Andradite xrd patterns,” 2025, accessed May. 25, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://rruff.info/repository/sample_child_record_powder/by_minerals/Andradite__R060326-9__Powder__Xray_Data_XY_Processed__4295.txt
“Cuarzo xrd patterns,” 2025, accessed May. 25, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://rruff.info/repository/sample_child_record_powder/by_minerals/Quartz__R100134-9__Powder__Xray_Data_XY_RAW__10754.txt
S. Min and Y. Kim, “Physicochemical characteristics of the birnessite and todorokite synthesized using various methods,”Minerals, vol. 10, no. 10, Oct. 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/min10100884
L. Yun-Ming, H. Cheng-Yong, M. M. A. Bakri, and K. Hussin, “Structure and properties of clay-based geopolymer cements: A review,” Progress in Materials Science, vol. 83, Oct. 2016. [Online].Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2016.08.002
J. Lenis-Rodas, A. Aleán-Vásquez, F. Villa-Cardona, J. Córdoba-Castro, and M. Gómez-Botero, “Desarrollo de morteros de construcción con geopolímeros obtenidos a partir de suelos degradados por la minería en el bajo cauca antioquia,” Revista UIS Ingenierías, vol. 22, no. 3, Jun. 2023. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.18273/revuin.v22n3-2023002
Y. Luo, Z. Jiang, D. Wang, Y. Lv, C. Gao, and G. Xue, “Effects of alkaline activators on pore structure and mechanical properties of ultrafine metakaolin geopolymers cured at room temperature,” Constr Build Mater, vol. 361, Dec. 2022. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2022.129678
A. Saedi, A. Jamshidi-Zanjani, and A. Darban, “A review on different methods of activating tailings to improve their cementitious property as cemented paste and reusability,” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 270, Sep. 2020. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110881
Q. Liu, X. Li, M. Cui, J. Wang, and X. Lyu, “Preparation of eco-friendly one-part geopolymers from gold mine tailings by alkaline hydrothermal activation,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 298, May. 2021. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126806
D. Gutiérrez-Orrego, M. Gómez-Botero, and E. García, “Alkali-activated hybrid cement from mineral wool fiber waste and opc,” Buildings, vol. 13, no. 2, Feb. 2023. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13020354
X. He, Z. Yuhua, S. Qaidi, H. F. Isleem, O. Zaid, and et al., “Mine tailings-based geopolymers: A comprehensive review,”Ceramics International, vol. 48, no. 17, Sep. 2022. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.05.345
A. Hassan, M. Arif, and M. Shariq, “Use of geopolymer concrete for a cleaner and sustainable environment – a review of mechanical properties and microstructure,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 223, Jun. 20, 2019. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.051
N. Zhang, A. Hedayat, H. Bolaños-Sosa, N. Tupa, I. Yanqui-Morales, and R. Canahua-Loza, “Crack evolution in the brazilian disks of the mine tailings-based geopolymers measured from digital image correlations: An experimental investigation considering the effects of class f fly ash additions,” Ceram Int, vol. 47, no. 22, Nov. 15, 2021. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.08.138
D. Gutiérrez-Orrego, E. Garcia-Aristizabal, and M. Gomez-Botero, “Mechanical and physical properties of soil-cement blocks reinforced with mineral wool and sisal fiber,” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 29, no. 3, Sep. 23, 2016. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0001753
D. Gutiérrez-Orrego, M. Gómez-Botero, and E. García-Aristizábal, “Soil improved with a hybrid alkali-activated cement from waste stone wool and opc,” Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 21, Dec. 2024. [Online]. Available: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2024.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Facultad de Ingeniería Universidad de Antioquia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Revista Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en
You are free to:
Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material
Under the following terms:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
The material published in the journal can be distributed, copied and exhibited by third parties if the respective credits are given to the journal. No commercial benefit can be obtained and derivative works must be under the same license terms as the original work.
Twitter