The viability of using the Witwatersrand gold mine tailings for brickmaking

Malatse, M.; Ndlovu, Sehliselo

doi:10.17159/2411-9717/2015/v115n4a8

Cited by 35 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Among the main components found, the presence of oxides, muscovite (6%) and quartz (86%), are highlighted. However, characteristics of mine tailings depend on the geographic location and type of gold ore extraction process, [10] verified that gold mine tailings characteristics vary according to the place of origin extraction, and even within the same area of the dump [11], in this Project, we found high concentrations of oxides: In general, it should be noted that content of sulphide minerals in a dump is 40%; On the contrary, lower layers indicate the content of goethite, quartz, chlorite, muscovite, calcite, hematite, pyrrhotite and high concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic, copper and lead, depending on the mineral extraction base [9]. It is important to perform a characterization in vertical profiles of mine dumps in order to estimate the amount of oxidized minerals available.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and implementation of an alternative process for the manufacture of bricks from gold mine tailings

Loaiza

Franco

Vargas

et al. 2020

Ingeniare. Rev. chil. ing.

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In Arequipa -Peru, tailings produced from the gold cyanidation process are deposited in tailings dumps. This accumulation creates the need for large spaces, high maintenance costs, and a negative impact on the environment. The present study aims to develop a process for reusing gold mine tailings as a raw material for the manufacture of bricks. This study deals with important aspects of the mining industry involved in sustainable development, namely the transformation of an environmental liability into an environmental asset. This work will seek to address two problems related to environmental damage: the buildup of toxic solid wastes at mining sites, and the over-exploitation of natural resources in the brick production process. The proposed process has been divided into three stages: (I) thickening and molding; (II) filtering, mixing and neutralizing; and (III) drying and sintering. The development and validation of the process and the evaluation of the final featured products allow defining the process as "recycling" (collection, processing, trading, and use of materials considered wastes). Standard procedures in brick manufacture analyzed physical and mechanical quality from bricks produced. Results showed that the bricks comply with current regulations for materials in compression resistance, maximum absorption, and dimensional variation tests. It is concluded that the enormous environmental liability represented by mining tailings can be used as a raw material within the construction materials industry.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and implementation of an alternative process for the manufacture of bricks from gold mine tailings

Loaiza

Franco

Vargas

et al. 2020

Ingeniare. Rev. chil. ing.

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“…Consequently, the gold can be separated from pure copper during electrolytic refining. It is thus possible that the regenerated concentrate slag can be completely recycled for iron recovery and value added products such as abrasive blasting, roofing granules, concrete, and other materials [9][10][11][12]. The sulphides in the flotation concentrate are fully converted to an oxide form during oxidative roasting, hence the chemical composition of the roasted concentrate can be considered as a copper slag.…”

Section: J Min Metall Sect B-metall 55 (3) B (2019) 343 -349mentioning

confidence: 99%

Gold recovery from flotation concentrate from gold mine tailings using dissolve smelting

Erdenebold

Sung

Wang

2019

J min metall B Metall

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Gold flotation concentrate may contain relatively high concentrations of valuable metals such as iron, copper, and zinc, and occasionally, even precious metals such as gold. The major components of the concentrate are SiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , and Al 2 O 3 , but it also contains reactive sulphide minerals such as pyrite. The sulphides in the flotation concentrate are fully converted into an oxide form during oxidative roasting, therefore, the chemical composition of the roasted concentrate is considered to be a copper slag. High temperature smelting with additives to dissolve Au from the gold concentrate into a molten copper was used in the research. Gold greatly dissolved at 1600°С under a CaO/SiO 2 ratio of 1.25, suggesting the increase in the dissolution of gold into molten copper with decreasing viscosity of the molten slag-like concentrate at high temperatures.

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“…A number of researchers have applied engineering techniques to study the potential of these materials to be recycled into innovative schemes designed to reduce their footprint and to evaluate their suitability for mineral carbonation, e.g., [90], and for brick-making, e.g., [91].…”

Section: Imperative 5: Tailings Should Be Usefully Appliedmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Nature and Articulation of Ethical Codes on Tailings Management in South Africa

Poswa

Davies

2017

Geosciences

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It is well recognized that the mining industry in South Africa is highly rated for its substantial contribution to the country's economic growth, including employment and infrastructural development. It is also known that mining and ore processing activities potentially pose a severe threat to public health and environmental well-being, in the way operations are carried out, mine wastes are disposed of (in dumps), local communities are relocated, mine management and the mining community, in general, perceive established environmental standards and etiquette. This paper examines ethical practices and norms in the South African mining industry, with particular reference to the management of tailings dams. We analyse the modes of articulation of the country's regulatory instruments for tailings management, and review the corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach of leading mining companies. Despite decades of research and resulting recommendations on tailings management, it is concluded that the current legislations are largely ineffective, that the level of adherence by mine management and the mining community is low, and that the mechanisms for compliance monitoring is weak. New perspectives on legislative issues for unsolved problems in tailings handling are put forward, and directions for future research, indicated.

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The viability of using the Witwatersrand gold mine tailings for brickmaking

Cited by 35 publications

References 8 publications

Design and implementation of an alternative process for the manufacture of bricks from gold mine tailings

Design and implementation of an alternative process for the manufacture of bricks from gold mine tailings

Gold recovery from flotation concentrate from gold mine tailings using dissolve smelting

The Nature and Articulation of Ethical Codes on Tailings Management in South Africa

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