Abstract
Currently, approximately 1.4 billion tons per year of iron ore tailing wastes (IOT) are generated, mainly in Australia, Brazil, and China. This work describes the characterization and application of two typical IOT, i.e., fine and coarse wastes. The physicochemical characterization of these IOT by different techniques such as XRF (X-ray fluorescence), XRD (X-ray diffraction), Mössbauer spectroscopy, and granulometry, indicates for the fine tailing a composition of Fe2O3/FeOOH (10-55%), SiO2 (18-65%) and Al2O3 (up to 15%) with particles of 6-40 μm, whereas the coarse tailing presents 40-150 μm particles with the composition of 8-48% Fe2O3/FeOOH, 30-90% SiO2 and Al2O3 (up to 20%). The main IOT applications discussed in this review are related to civil construction (aggregates for concrete, mortar, Portland cement additives), ceramic industry, geopolymer, synthesis of new materials such as zeolites, mesoporous silica, carbon nanotubes, adsorbents, catalysts for different reactions, in batteries and in fuel cells. It was also carried out an analysis of patents related to IOT applications and the main technological and market barriers that hinder the industrial and commercial uses of these wastes.
Highlights
Iron is the fourth most abundant element and accounts for about 5% of the Earth’s crust
The chemical and mineralogical composition of the iron ore tailings (IOT) generated in the iron ore beneficiation process depends mainly on the mineralogy of the processed rock, the nature of the processing fluids used in the target minerals, the efficiency of the processing, and the degree of weathering before the storage in the dam.[29]
The results showed that the concrete incorporating tailings enhanced the chloride penetration resistance compared to the control specimens.[74]
Summary
Iron is the fourth most abundant element and accounts for about 5% of the Earth’s crust. Hematite rich type is extracted mainly in the state of Pará and has an average iron content higher than 60%. On the other hand, is mined mainly in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (MG) and shows an iron content of around 50%.9. In both cases, these rocks are mainly composed of hematite (α-Fe2O3). Other minor chemical compounds, such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P) minerals, can be present in both ores mined in the reserves of Pará and Quadrilátero Ferrífero.[10]
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