Investigation of Performance of Copper Slag and Ore Tailings Novel Trial Self-compacting Concrete Mixtures

A non-conventional concrete with the properties of flow-ability, filling-ability, and passing-ability without any need for mechanical compaction but flow under self-weight is known as self-compacting concrete. This study developed trial mixtures for self-compacting concrete (SCC) using locally available waste products. The copper slag and ore tailings from Bamangwato Concessions Limited Mine in Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana were used as source of fine aggregate, and fines substitute. Eight mix proportions were developed with the quantities of cement, granite, copper slag, ore tailings and water-cement ratio as variables. The mix proportions were developed in accordance with recommendations from American Concrete Institute (ACI 237R-07) and fresh SCC properties (flow ability, passing ability, filling-ability, and segregation) were performed to assess the performance of the mixes. It was observed that the range of slump flow values were between (500 – 750 mm), V-funnel values (1.46 – 7.46 s), passing-ability of (0.76 – 1.0). The hardened properties of SCC (strength and density) were between 8.1 and 33.3 MPa, and 2093 to 2406 kg/m3) respectively. It could be concluded that SCC produced from mine wastes (copper slag and ore tailings) is found suitable for the use in unreinforced and normal concrete applications.