Characterization of Marble and Granite Processing Waste and its Utilization in Brick Production: Case of Saba and Semayata Dimensional Stone Companies, Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, the marble and granite dimension stone industries have been growing significantly in the last decade and have become a part of the flourishing construction industry. Accordingly, the amount of quarrying and processing has increased significantly. This has contributed to increased waste of time. Semayata and Saba Dimensional Stone plc are the leading dimension stone-based companies located in the Wukro and Adwa areas, respectively in the Tigray region are involved in producing tiles and slabs of marble and granite. Due to its processing techniques and its highly alkaline nature, marble, and granite wastes in the Adwa and Wukro areas have become causes for environmental problems. Consequently, the demand for the recycling of waste has come to the forefront due to both environmental and financial considerations. Keeping this in view, a study was conducted on the waste generated by the Saba and Semayata processing units. The study aims to characterize wastes; and discuss the possibilities of using marble and granite wastes as an alternative raw material in the production of bricks. Based on the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties, the waste can be used to produce bricks without modifying and adding other contents.