Reuse of Mine Tailings as an Alternative for the Manufacture of Refractory Bricks: Sustainable Remediation for Mining Waste Management

ABSTRACT Mining waste generated during the extraction and processing of minerals in the mining industry represents a social and environmental problem due to the potential impacts associated with the nature of the waste and its toxicity. To mitigate the impact generated by mining waste, this research is an engineering application that seeks to use mining waste sustainably by manufacturing blocks of mining waste. In this article, the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of blocks manufactured from mine tailings for use as refractory brick in the domestic or construction sector were evaluated to determine their composition and behavior. The mine tailings blocks were subjected to temperatures of 1200°C, resulting in an acid‐type refractory brick, high‐density refractory brick (2.4 g/cm 3 ), with a porosity of 43%, to 24 hardness (474–468 HLD), absorption (28.6%– 5.7%), smooth and homogeneous texture, and resistant to corrosion by acids. The refinery bricks exhibited a mechanical resistance of 50.57–181.66 MPa, flexion resistance of 2.93–13 MPa, and thermal expansion of 0.17 mm. To better understand the textural and chemical characteristics, a detailed study involving field analysis, X‐ray diffraction analysis, X‐ray fluorescence analysis, and morphometric analysis using a petrographic microscope and scanning electron microscopy was carried out. Regarding the chemical composition, the bricks have a high SiO 2 content (80.6%) and contents of CaO and Al 2 O 3 of 6.65% and 6.0%, respectively. The mineral phases consist of quartz β, cristobalite, and opal, designating the blocks as acid‐refractory brick. Acid‐refractory bricks obtained from mining tailings represent an option to reduce waste in the environment and provide an alternative as a raw building material in the domestic and industrial sectors.