Using Mine Waste and Bentonite in Cement for Enhanced Gamma Radiation Shielding

The increasing waste produced by the mining industry presents serious environmental challenges. This research focused on developing a sustainable material with enhanced shielding properties against gamma radiation by combining mine waste, which is rich in aluminum and iron, with bentonite and cement. We investigated the gamma-ray shielding properties of the shielding materials at energies of 59.54 keV, 661.66 keV, and 1115.54 keV using both experimental methods and theoretical approaches via EpiXS software. We calculated various metrics, including the linear attenuation coefficient, HVL, TVL, and radiation protection efficiency values. The findings revealed that a shielding material containing 55 wt.% cement and 17 wt.% mine waste mud could effectively reduce the intensity of low-energy gamma-ray photons by half with a thickness of less than 1 cm. The results indicate that incorporating mine waste significantly enhances radiation attenuation at lower gamma-ray energies and presents a promising opportunity for producing eco-friendly building materials, aligning with the principles of green engineering. Overall, using industrial waste in construction is cost-effective, providing long-term savings and environmental benefits.