Utilization of mine tailings in concrete production: A bibliometric and technical review of challenges, potential, and innovation pathways

Utilizing mine wastes and tailings in concrete production has been considered an environmentally friendly approach to reducing both the negative impacts of mining and the demand for natural resources for construction activities. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the feasibility of mine tailings utilization in cement and aggregates, focusing on the impacts on the mechanical performance, environmental properties, durability, and sustainability of concrete. The review analyzes results from several research studies with the aim of providing a clear overview of such innovative inclusions of mine waste. According to the tests, mine tailings enhance concrete's particular performance in the application with optimum replacement percentages. Life cycle assessments have also demonstrated relevant reductions in carbon footprint and ecotoxicity in concrete, pointing out mine waste inclusions as a promising contribution to an ecological development perspective. However, optimal usage encompasses a number of challenges with regard to variability in tailing compositions, potential leachability of toxic metals, and loss of workability. This comprehensive review identifies the two ways in which mine tailings have dual advantages in concrete production: improving material performance and meeting environmental challenges associated with mining waste. The review’s novelty is also demonstrated by exploring the recent research studies on using artificial intelligence (AI) for concrete mix design optimization using mine tailings, which increasingly provides a revolutionary pathway to meet sustainability goals. In addition, this review provides a bibliometric analysis that highlights the current research gaps and the trending topics related to the utilization of mine tailings in concrete.