Geopolymer Technologies for Mine Tailings Valorization
Summary
The accumulation of mine tailings represents both an environmental liability and a resource opportunity. Geopolymer technologies convert aluminosilicate‐rich tailings into durable, cement‐free binders through alkali activation, immobilising contaminants and delivering materials with high compressive strength, chemical resistance and thermal stability. By integrating reactive additives such as blast furnace slag or metakaolin, and optimising parameters like Si/Al ratio, activator composition and curing regime, geopolymerisation of tailings can yield structural backfill, surface covers and construction products. This approach reduces reliance on primary raw materials, mitigates leaching of heavy metals, and aligns with circular‐economy objectives by transforming a legacy waste into a value‐added construction resource.
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Geopolymer Technologies for Mine Tailings Valorization publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in geopolymer technologies for mine tailings valorization across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Geopolymer: A three‐dimensional inorganic polymer network formed by alkali activation of aluminosilicate materials, yielding binders with high mechanical strength and chemical durability.
Alkali activation: A chemical process in which an alkaline solution (commonly sodium hydroxide or sodium silicate) dissolves aluminosilicate precursors to form geopolymeric gels upon polymerisation.
Mine tailings: Fine particulate waste from mineral processing operations, often rich in silicates and aluminates but containing residues of heavy metals and process reagents.
Precursor: The solid feedstock (such as tailings, fly ash or metakaolin) that supplies silicon and aluminium for geopolymerisation.
Compressive strength: The maximum axial load a material can sustain before failure, a key indicator of mechanical performance in construction applications.
N–A–S–H gel: Sodium aluminosilicate hydrate, the primary binding phase in many geopolymers, responsible for the material’s structural integrity and durability.
References
- Assessment of mine tailings as precursors for alkali-activated materials for on-site applications. Construction and Building Materials (2020).
- Geopolymer Synthesis Using Garnet Tailings from Molybdenum Mines. Minerals (2019).
- Effects of Activator Properties and Curing Conditions on Alkali-Activation of Low-Alumina Mine Tailings. Waste and Biomass Valorization (2019).
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