Quartz Mining Waste for Concrete Production: Environment and Public Health

Frank A De Carvalho,Rosana P Cambraia,Arlete B Dos Reis,Bernat V Prat,Alexandre C Silva,José D Fabris,Juliana N P Nobre

doi:10.3390/su14010389

Abstract

Brazil, one of the largest ore producers in the world, holds 95% of the world’s quartz reserves. The aim of this research is to enhance mitigation measures in quartz ore exploration common in the Serra do Espinhaço Meridional region through the specific study of a mining venture. The three (3) phases of the study were: (1) characterization of the project under study and evaluation of the impacts generated; (2) evaluation of the economic feasibility of using the waste as a coarse aggregate for concrete production; (3) evaluation of the technical feasibility of reusing this waste through analysis of compressive strength. The results of the study show potential negative impacts on occupational health from the piles of disposed waste, specifically silicosis, caused by silica dust dispersed in the air. In the economic analysis, a decrease of 49.05% was verified in coarse aggregate cost through the use of the residue. The compressive strength of the concrete was 26.80 MPa when quartz residue was used and 29.2 MPa when limestone was used. The quartz residue generated by the venture can be reused as aggregate for the production of concrete, generating improvements in environmental and health aspects.

Highlights

Brazil stands out among Latin American countries for the greatest inequality in income distribution [1,2]
A mining venture that generates residues that could be introduced to the production of concrete was identified
This residue can be used as a coarse aggregate in concrete and has a 47.2% lower cost compared to conventionally aggregates

Summary

Introduction

Brazil stands out among Latin American countries for the greatest inequality in income distribution [1,2] This is reflected in the quality of life linked to the characteristics of the environment in which people live, especially housing [3,4]. Building requires a labor force, which, when receiving earnings proportional to the services rendered, would be able to acquire goods such as their own homes This housing, if properly designed and implemented, would provide better living conditions for its occupants and society in general [6]. Such housing has variable construction costs depending on the proposed project, location of implementation, and materials used, which are usually conventional materials characterized as impactful and unsustainable [7]. One of the most commonly used materials in civil construction is concrete [8], which is usually

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