Mine Rehabilitation, Artificial Soils and Utilisation of mine wastes

The problems associated with long-term management and rehabilitation of mine tailings is a globally-known problem. High volumes of potentially toxic tailings contained in tailing dams, pose a threat to the environment and to human safety.

The goal of our research is to both reduce the tailings volume, while contributing to the rehabilitation and stabilisation of the tailings dam. To achieve our research goal:

• We seek to develop artificial topsoils using a range of waste materials that include tailings as a component. Tailings were combined with carbon-rich waste materials from other industries (e.g., paper milling, wood milling, wastewater systems, green waste collection) to form a topsoil that can be used for on-site mine remediation suitable for plant growth. This process reuses a range of waste materials that are produced on site while providing appropriate soils required for remediation.
• We are investigating waste materials from mining and residential areas to improve the performance properties of AAC (Alkali-activated cement). Features of our product include lower energy inputs and CO2 emissions; decreased leaching of heavy metals from waste; and increased fire resistance. These products have a number of applications in surface and subsurface environments.