Recycling of copper tailing as filler material in asphalt paving mastic: A sustainable solution for mining waste recovery

Abstract

Copper tailings are a category of solid waste discharged after the beneficiation process in mining plants. The significant concern raising stringent environmental issues give impetus to explore the multi-channel utilization of copper tailings in a sustainable manner. Concerning the fact that no study has systematically compared properties of copper tailings filled (CTP) asphalt mastic with conventional limestone filler mastic (LP) at different filler-to-asphalt ratios, multiscale and multi-dimensional comparisons between the characteristics of CTP-asphalt and LP-asphalt mastics were made in this study to thoroughly explore the feasibility and potential of recycling CTP as alternative filler in asphalt materials. Four ratios from 0.3 to 1.2 were used to manufacture asphalt mastics. The in-service pavement performance of asphalt mastics including resistances to rutting, low-temperature cracking and moisture damage was explored. Finally, the environmental and economic perspectives regarding the recycling of copper tailings are analyzed. Results indicate that CTP possesses a rougher surface, a larger specific surface area, and a more uniform pore size distribution than LP, particularly across the mesopores range. These characteristics could promote the adsorption of asphalt on its particle surface, potentially leading to enhanced filler-particle interaction. Regarding pavement performance, CTP-asphalt mastic outperforms LP-asphalt mastic in terms of high-temperature performance. Meanwhile, its low-temperature performance and moisture stability are only limitedly declined with the acceptable performance. Further, heavy metals leaching tests suggest that the risk for the substantial utilization of CTP in paving asphalt is absent. The related outcomes have verified the promising potential of CTP as an alternative candidate to substitute the conventional filler in paving asphalt from comprehensive consideration of in-service performance, and environmental and economic benefits.