Solidification/stabilization of zinc-lead tailings by alkali activated slag cement

Abstract

An appropriate proportion of alkali activated slag cement, abbreviated as AASC later, was determined based on strength test of paste specimens. Results showed that AASC prepared from 14% low modulus water glass and blast furnace slag presented its compressive strength of hardened cement paste of 69.6, 84.0 and 91.8 MPa at 3, 7, and 28 d curing ages respectively. Flowability of the fresh tailings-cement pastes and the strength development of hardened tailings-cement paste were also tested both in the cases with addition of AASC and Portland cement. The fresh tailings-cement paste added with AASC presented much better flowability and the corresponding hardened paste presented higher compressive strength, especially the long term strength, than those added with Portland cement. Therefore, tailings paste added with AASC allowed lager solid content than that of Portland cement in order to keep the similar flowability. SEM observation on the microstructure of the hardened tailings-AASC mixture pastes showed obvious cementation effect. MIP measurements also showed that the total porosity of the hardened tailings-cement pastes decreased, and the portion of larger pore also decreased when the dosage of AASC increased. It is believed that AASC is more suitable to be used as a binder for the stabilization of zinc-lead tailings and for its backfilling operation than Portland cement.