Efecto de la activación mecánica, térmica y química de relaves mineros como reemplazo del comento en morteros.
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
La utilización de relaves mineros como reemplazo parcial del cemento en morteros ha ganado relevancia como una estrategia para mitigar los impactos ambientales asociados a los pasivos mineros. Estos residuos, que suelen acumularse en depósitos en superficie sin un propósito definido ni una gestión adecuada, representan un desafío ambiental significativo. En este contexto, ofrecer un nuevo uso para los relaves resalta la necesidad de implementar soluciones que favorezcan la utilización sostenible de recursos, contribuyendo así a la creación de aplicaciones prácticas para este residuo y su aprovechamiento eficaz. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la viabilidad de utilizar relaves de pórfido cuprífero activados como reemplazo parcial del cemento en la fabricación de morteros. Para ello, se elaboraron distintas dosificaciones que combinaron molienda y activación térmica a tres temperaturas: 800, 925 y 1000°C, junto con una activación química. Tras la aplicación de los tratamientos, se analizaron los relaves mediante técnicas de análisis granulométrico, mineralógico y químico. Posteriormente, se evaluaron diversas propiedades de las mezclas de mortero, como la trabajabilidad, la densidad de las probetas y las resistencias a la flexo-tracción y compresión, con el fin de determinar el comportamiento mecánico de los morteros. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que el reemplazo de cemento por relave mejoró significativamente las propiedades mecánicas de los morteros, especialmente en las muestras activadas exclusivamente mediante tratamiento mecánico y químico. En particular, las fracciones gruesas de relave, sometidas a una molienda de 15 minutos que solo incluyó partículas mayores a 150 micrones y mezcladas en partes iguales con el fino sin moler, mostraron un desempeño superior en términos de resistencia a la flexo-tracción y compresión. Se concluye que la incorporación de relaves activados en la fabricación de morteros representa una alternativa viable para la reutilización de residuos mineros, con implicancias significativas para la sostenibilidad ambiental en la industria de la construcción, al tiempo que ofrece un medio para reducir la huella ecológica del cemento tradicional.
The use of mining tailings as a partial replacement for cement in mortars has gained importance as a strategy to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with mining waste. These passives, which are often accumulated in surface deposits without a defined purpose or proper management, represent a significant environmental challenge. In this context, offering a new use for tailings highlights the need to implement solutions that promote the sustainable use of resources, thus contributing to the creation of practical applications for this waste and its effective utilization. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using activated copper porphyry tailings as a partial replacement for cement in mortar production. To achieve this, different mixtures were prepared, combining milling and thermal activation at three temperatures: 800°C, 925°C, and 1000°C, along with chemical activation. After the treatments, the tailings were analyzed using granulometric, mineralogical, and chemical analysis. Subsequently, various properties of the mortar mixes were evaluated, including workability, density, and flexural and compressive strengths, to determine the mechanical behavior of the mortars. The results indicated that replacing cement with tailings significantly improved the mechanical properties of the mortars, especially in the samples activated exclusively through mechanical and chemical treatments. In particular, the coarse tailing fractions, subjected to a 15-minute milling process that included only particles larger than 150 microns and mixed in equal parts with unground fines, showed superior performance in terms of flexural and compressive strength. It is concluded that the incorporation of activated tailings in mortar production represents a viable alternative for the reuse of mining waste, with significant implications for environmental sustainability in the construction industry, while also offering a means to reduce the ecological footprint of traditional cement.
The use of mining tailings as a partial replacement for cement in mortars has gained importance as a strategy to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with mining waste. These passives, which are often accumulated in surface deposits without a defined purpose or proper management, represent a significant environmental challenge. In this context, offering a new use for tailings highlights the need to implement solutions that promote the sustainable use of resources, thus contributing to the creation of practical applications for this waste and its effective utilization. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using activated copper porphyry tailings as a partial replacement for cement in mortar production. To achieve this, different mixtures were prepared, combining milling and thermal activation at three temperatures: 800°C, 925°C, and 1000°C, along with chemical activation. After the treatments, the tailings were analyzed using granulometric, mineralogical, and chemical analysis. Subsequently, various properties of the mortar mixes were evaluated, including workability, density, and flexural and compressive strengths, to determine the mechanical behavior of the mortars. The results indicated that replacing cement with tailings significantly improved the mechanical properties of the mortars, especially in the samples activated exclusively through mechanical and chemical treatments. In particular, the coarse tailing fractions, subjected to a 15-minute milling process that included only particles larger than 150 microns and mixed in equal parts with unground fines, showed superior performance in terms of flexural and compressive strength. It is concluded that the incorporation of activated tailings in mortar production represents a viable alternative for the reuse of mining waste, with significant implications for environmental sustainability in the construction industry, while also offering a means to reduce the ecological footprint of traditional cement.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Ingeniero/a Civil de Minas.
Keywords
Mecánica, Minería, Relaves (cobre)