Characterization and Potential Usage of Stabilized Mine Tailings

Abstract

Stabilization is an established remediation for contaminated soils and for hazardous wastes. The main objective of this work is to study the behaviour of geotechnical characteristics of the tailing materials (TMs) which are stabilized using cement, lime and fly ash in different proportions and to propose an optimum percentage of blending agents. The geotechnical parameters like specific gravity, optimum moisture content, maximum dry density, California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive strength of mine tailing alone and mine tailing treated with pozzolanic reagents like cement, lime and fly ash in different proportions was studied. All the tests were performed as per the IS specifications and codal reference. The stabilized tailing material achieved considerable strength upto 1801.17 kN/m2 at 28 days of curing period, thus making the stabilized TMs suitable for bulk fill construction. Fly ash can potentially stabilize the TMs treated along with cement and lime to reduce the construction cost.