Goldmine Tailings Stabilization using Quarry Dust and Coal Ash for Pavement Applications - A Review

Abstract

The quest to improve the properties of soil and other construction materials by incorporating industrial and agricultural wastes is a growing concern for the construction industry. Many researchers have recently focused on employing waste materials as stabilizers due to their good pozzolanic interactions with soil particles.  Its significance in civil engineering projects such as foundations in buildings and pavement construction cannot be overemphasized. The construction of pavements usually involves using large quantities of natural earth/aggregate materials, often mixed with conventional stabilizers (cement, lime, and bitumen). There is already a shortage of natural aggregate materials in many developing nations. However, a significant quantity of waste, such as mining tailings, is generated by mining industries yearly. In contrast, the disposal of these wastes is not only expensive but has also resulted in various ecological and environmental problems.  The literature has already explored methods of stabilization and solidification of mining tailings employing conventional agents. However, the use of traditional stabilizers indicates an important source of contamination for the environment. Therefore, alternative stabilizing materials are needed. The approach to this literature review included a systematic procedure for locating, choosing, and evaluating sources. The logic for the sources’ selection prioritized contemporary, peer-reviewed studies that particularly address the geotechnical properties of industrial waste products in road construction. This study reviews the geotechnical properties of industrial waste products, such as goldmine tailings, quarry dust, and coal ash and the technical benefits of using them for pavement construction.