Coprocessing of tailings of the Garimpo Areinha (Diamantina/MG) for red ceramics production

ABSTRACT The mineral extractive industry is responsible for the production of large-scale waste which, when discarded incorrectly, can cause damage to nature and public health. Knowing this, the feasibility of the addition of tailings was studied in the production of red ceramics, seeking a sustainable alternative for the use and disposal of these wastes. The residue used for the work was extracted from three holding basins in the region of the Areinha gold mining, in Diamantina-MG, and is a mud composed of silicates and some heavy metals. The objective of this study was to manufacture structural test specimens with addition of these tailings and to evaluate their technological properties, such as: linear retraction, loss on ignition, color study, water absorption, apparent porosity and compressive strength. In comparison to the test specimens produced with pure soil, the results pointed out important improvements in these properties with addition of the tailings, reducing the water absorption and increasing the compressive strength, pointing out the viability of its use for the incorporation of the mining tailings and stabilization of heavy metals.