Construction materials obtained by valorising mineral waste of red mud and mining tailings - performance and impact

The actions undertaken by Romania, as an active participant in the sustainable policies of the European Union in the field of waste management, aim to permanently minimize the amount of waste generated, recycling, reuse and higher valorisation to ensure a sustainable management of resources and environmental protection. Increasing the degree of valorisation and obtaining secondary raw materials through the management of waste resulting from mining and metallurgical activities, recognized by very large quantities generated and stored, is the objective of extensive research activities. This paper presents the results of the research carried out in order to valorise red mud and mine tailings wastes by incorporation into construction materials with the main aim of reducing the polluting effect of the waste but also the partial substitution of the basic raw materials from the classic construction materials (cement, clay). The new construction materials (mortars, respectively ceramic materials), by substituting the silico-aluminous component from the basic raw material of the classic construction materials were obtained. The properties of the new construction materials are similarly to the classic materials. The specific pollutants presents in the wastes was retained, which leads to the reduction of the impact on the environment. The impact generated by the implementation of the optimal technological solution was analysed, compared to the impact on the environment due to the storage of the two wastes and the impact produced during the manufacture of classic materials.