Mining Waste Valorization for Construction Materials: A Systematic Review of Technologies, Environmental Performance, and Circular Economy Perspectives (2010–2025)

The ongoing production of mining waste worldwide presents significant environmental and technical challenges due to the large quantities of tailings, overburden, and fine residues generated during mineral extraction and processing. These by-products threaten soil and water quality while taking up extensive land areas. However, they also hold potential as secondary raw materials for the construction industry, promoting resource efficiency and circular economy practices. This systematic review, spanning from 2010 to 2025, examines the potential of mining waste as input for construction materials using data from Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and SciELO databases, based on keywords such as “mine tailings,” “construction materials,” “valorization,” “geopolymer,” and “circular economy.” The reviewed studies—including peer-reviewed articles, theses, technical standards, and government reports—show that iron, bauxite, coal, and phosphate tailings are the most studied, mainly used as aggregates, pozzolanic binders, and geopolymeric precursors. Overall, results indicate that these materials have comparable mechanical performance to traditional materials, although concerns about durability and leaching behavior remain. The review emphasizes the growing integration of low-carbon and circular strategies within the construction sector, while also identifying ongoing research gaps related to large-scale feasibility, standardized testing, and policy alignment. Addressing these issues through life cycle assessments, regulatory frameworks, and long-term monitoring is vital to ensure the safe and sustainable reuse of mining residues in construction applications.