Flotation Waste Research Articles

Evaluation of the effect of desliming and alternatives in iron ore reverse flotation circuits

Iron ore reverse flotation has been the main concentration process applied in iron ore processing plants since the 1970s. The performance of this process has been strongly affected by the control of the previous desliming stages. The presence of ultrafine particles promotes selectivity losses in the flotation circuits, in addition to a significant increase in the consumption of chemical reagents and pumping energy. The removal of ultrafine particles promotes metal losses, the need for additional dewatering steps, difficulties in handling and stacking together with flotation waste. This study focuses on investigating the feasibility of replacing desliming with high intensity vertical magnetic concentrators (VPHGMS). Pilot tests were carried out with this type of magnetic concentrator followed by flotation, the results show an increase in metal recovery of 4% when compared to the traditional desliming and flotation circuit, drastic possibility of reducing energy, chemical reagents and foot print and potential to reduce capex and opex by 22% and 24%, respectively, for new projects.

Effects of food to inoculum ratio and ultrasound pre-treatment on biogas production from dissolved air flotation waste from dairy industry

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) waste, a byproduct with high lipid content separated from dairy wastewater, is disposed of by land spreading and causing environmental pollution. To develop a sustainable treatment for DAF waste, this study investigated the effects of food to inoculum (F/I) ratio and ultrasound pre-treatment on the anaerobic digestion of DAF waste. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) of tested DAF waste ranged from 436–566 mL CH4/g VSfed. Increasing the F/I ratio (>1.0) inhibited methane production due to long chain fatty acids (LCFA) accumulation, which high concentrations of oleate inhibited methanogenesis and delayed palmitate degradation. Ultrasound pre-treatment with 30 min pulse (10 s on/ 10 s off) and 15 min continuous operations increased soluble chemical oxygen demand in DAF waste by 82% and 52%, respectively. Moreover, continuous sonication removed 38% of LCFA due to the implosion of cavitation bubbles. The BMP of DAF waste increased by 36% after sonication with F/I ratio 3.0. However, the lag time of methane production was prolonged after sonication due to the fast release of LCFA to the bulk solution. By implementing ultrasound pre-treatment and optimizing the F/I ratio, the energy potential of DAF waste can be harnessed, leading to more sustainable practices in dairy production.

The Characterization of Slovinky Sludge Bed Material Using Spectroscopic Methods

Slovakia has a long and distinguished tradition in the field of mining and in the processing of raw materials such as gold, silver, copper, and iron ores. In medieval times, the area that is today’s Slovakia was one of the most important producers and processors of sulfide ore, which was processed specifically by flotation. Flotation waste is the remains of fine-grained materials that are deposited in sludge beds after mining and mineral processing activities. Flotation waste also contains residues of heavy metals, which can pose a potential risk to the surrounding environment. The areas with this deposited material (heaps and sludge beds) have been classified as an environmental threat and require regular monitoring by government bodies. The Slovinky sludge bed is one of these areas. The aim of the work was therefore to investigate the selected physico-chemical properties of sludge flotation waste using spectroscopic methods (XPS, XRF, and AAS). Our findings showed that the concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Ni exceeded the limits set by the relevant legislation by several fold even two decades after the end of mining and processing activities. Although the sludge bed material is alkaline, our results showed that the sludge bed material could be a potential source of selected heavy metals. The obtained data could help in the protection and restoration of areas affected by the mining and processing of sulfide ore.

Sustainable utilization of copper post-flotation waste in cement composites

The current way of managing the copper ore flotation waste is by placing it in waste neutralization facilities. However, flotation waste has great potential in application in cement composites. The article presents the detailed characteristics of post-flotation waste (PFW) and three types of cements: CEM I, CEM II/B-V, and CEM III/A, 42.5 MPa class. The post-flotation waste added for 20% of the cement mass increase the water demand to obtain the standard consistency. The highest pozzolanic activity was noted for mortars made of Ordinary Portland Cement and cured at 20 °C. The lower curing temperature, i.e. 10 °C, delays the hydration reaction, extends setting time, and reduces compressive strength. The conducted tests showed that the specimens produced from CEM I and PFW have the highest compressive strength (after 28 and 90 days), which means that PFW does not react with silica fly ash (from CEM II/B-V) and granulated blast furnace slag (from CEM III/A). The reaction of the waste with the components of the Portland clinker is preferred. The performed studies proved that the utilization of copper post-flotation waste allows for the development of sustainable and durable composite made of CEM I and indicated the possibilities of further testing of waste, in the direction of its use as a mineral additive for concrete.

Accumulation and distribution of heavy metals in soil and food crops in the Pb–Zn mine environ. Case study: Region of Probištip, North Macedonia

The aim of the study was to investigate the exploration and distribution of various chemical elements in soils and vegetables from gardens in the region of Probištip, North Macedonia. This region was exposed to heavy metals pollution from Pb–Zn mining and flotation tailings landfill near the town of Probištip for 70 years. A total of 38 samples of various crops and vegetable products from 19 gardens were analyzed. The analyzes were carried out by ICP-AES (Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn) and by ICP-MS (As, Cd, Co, Cr, and Pb). It was found that the content of some potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in the soil samples from the gardens, exceeded the target values. From these results, it is clear that the contamination of the soils in this area is due to mining activities and the distribution of flotation wastes from the nearby flotation dump. It was also found that the contaminated soils lead to elevated levels of these elements in some vegetables from the gardens, especially those near the Zletovska River and the flotation waste landfill, exceeding the nationally permissible food content.

Optimized regimes of nepheline flotation using stockpiled apatite-nepheline processing waste (the Khibiny deposits)

The task of processing stockpiled apatite-nepheline waste is of relevance and in line with the goal of ensuring environmental safety in Russia’s Arctic zone achievable through the reduction of accumulated environmental damage. The cost of processing secondary raw materials — when no grinding is required and thus most energy costs are saved — is much lower in comparison with the processing of natural raw materials. Around 1 billion tons of flotation waste have accumulated in the tailings ponds of Apatit-owned concentrator plants over the 90-year history of exploiting the Khibiny deposits. It poses a real threat of toxic pollution. In this regard, the development of beneficiation processes aimed at reducing waste that goes in the tailings ponds should be considered a priority area of research in the field of mineral processing. This paper describes the results of an extended laboratory study that looked at the concentratibility of two samples of apatite-nepheline flotation waste taken from two tailings ponds owned by Apatit which have different storage times. It is shown that the main valuable minerals in the tailings include nepheline (more than 50%), pyroxenes (5–7%) and titanite (about 4%). Three reagent regimes of reverse flotation were used to obtain nepheline concentrate: a basic regime that uses a mixture of coniferous and deciduous tall oil; a regime that uses alkyl hydroxamic acids to which distilled tall oil is added, and a regime that uses a mixture of tall oil and polyalkyl benzene sulfonic acids. The findings suggest that the regime that uses the mixture of alkyl hydroxamic and carboxylic acids with the addition of distilled tall oil provides the most efficient flotation regime that helps to selectively separate nepheline and darkcoloured minerals from the long-term storage tailings. The paper demonstrates feasibility of using apatite-nepheline processing waste (a case study of the Khibiny deposits) to produce nepheline concentrate, which serves as a material that can substitute imported non-bauxite raw materials required by aluminium industry.

Roles of various composts based on phosphate flotation waste, phosphogypsum and cactus in improving the tolerance of tomato plants to drought stress

Roles of various composts based on phosphate flotation waste, phosphogypsum and cactus in improving the tolerance of tomato plants to drought stress

Bioleaching of Enargite/Pyrite-rich “Dirty” Concentrate and Arsenic Immobilization

Bioleaching of arsenic (As)-rich, so-called “dirty” concentrates can produce additional Cu value from the flotation waste while simultaneously releasing toxic As. This study bioleached three such concentrates of varying pyrite/enargite ratios ([Py]/[Ena] = 0.7, 1.3 and 2.4) at a pulp density of 20%. The dissolution behavior of Cu and As in relation to the solution redox potential (Eh) was studied with and without activated carbon (AC) as a potential Eh-controlling catalyst. At this high pulp density, Eh was naturally suppressed, without a need for AC dosing, to <700 mV (a rapid pyrite dissolution is prevented in this Eh range). The effect of AC dosing on Eh varied depending on the type of concentrate; Eh was further reduced only in the case of the most enargite-rich concentrate, DC-I. Among the three concentrates, the highest Cu dissolution (35%) was seen in DC-I (without AC dosing), which simultaneously achieved the lowest As solubilization. Arsenic was immobilized as amorphous precipitates, likely in a mixture of ferric arsenate, cupric arsenate, basic ferric sulfate and sulfur. Arsenic immobilization became increasingly ineffective as the pyrite content increased in the concentrate. Based on these results, setting a lower [Py]/[Ena] ratio prior to the dirty concentrate bioleaching could be a useful approach to promote Cu dissolution and As immobilization simultaneously.

Bioleaching Process for Copper Extraction from Waste in Alkaline and Acid Medium

Flotation wastes are becoming a valuable secondary raw material and source of many metals and semimetals worldwide with the possibilities of industrial recycling. The flotation tailings contain oxide and sulfide minerals that have not been sufficiently stabilized and form acidic mine waters, which in turn contaminate groundwater, rivers, and reservoi6sediments. An effective way to recycle these mine wastes is to recover the metals through leaching. While the focus is on acid bioleaching by iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, alkaline leaching, and the removal of iron-containing surface coatings on sulfide minerals contribute significantly to the overall environmental efficiency of leaching. For this study, static and percolate bioleaching of copper from flotation waste at the Bor copper mine in Serbia was investigated in alkaline and then acidic environments. The aim of the study was to verify the effect of alkaline pH and nutrient stimulation on the bioleaching process and element extraction. A sample was taken from a mine waste site, which was characterized by XRF analyses. The concentration of leached copper was increased when copper oxide minerals dissolved during alkaline bioleaching. The highest copper yield during alkaline bioleaching was achieved after 9 days and reached 67%. The addition of nutrients in acidic medium enhanced the degradation of sulfide minerals and increased Cu recovery to 74%, while Fe and Ag recoveries were not significantly affected. Combined bioleaching with alkaline media and iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in acidic media should be a good reference for ecological Cu recovery from copper oxide and sulfide wastes.

Characterization of material sintered from the final flotation waste and zeolitic tuff

The paper deals with the characteristics of synthesized glass-ceramics obtained by sintering a mixture of final flotation waste (FFW) with tuff at 1260?C for 7 h, followed by the annealing of pressed samples at 1080oC for 36 h. The experiments were done in order to find the possibility for the valorization of waste material (FFW). By thermal treatment of mixtures of T20 (20 % tuff, 80 % FFW) and T40 (40 % tuff, 60 % FFW) to a temperature of 1260oC over a period of 7 hours, is obtained glass-ceramics with dendritic structure. The synthesized glass-ceramics consists of two phases: iron oxide crystals (maghemite, magnetite, and hematite) and glass with an approximate ratio of phases 32/68 (T20) and 23/77 (T40), respectively. The relatively small shrinkage of the synthesized material (up to 7 %) enables reliable control when designing a given shape indicating that such glass-ceramics can be used as a basis for obtaining construction material. The synthesis of pressed samples of mixtures (T20 and T40) at 1080oC for 36 h produces glass-ceramics that have a high coefficient of sound attenuation, which indicates good acoustic insulating properties.

Dynamic pressing as a way of intensification of structural-phase transformations during sintering of ceramic materials

The article presents the studies results of magnetic-pulse pressing in relation to ceramic masses based on non-sintering loam with the addition of coal flotation waste and the possibility of its use as a method for intensifying structural and phase transformations during sintering of masses was shown. A comparative characteristic of the properties of ceramic materials obtained by the usual mode of heat treatment at a temperature of 950 °C by the method of magnetic-pulse pressing with different amplitude of impact force was presented. To determine the operating parameters influence of the magnetic-pulse press on the samples properties, their pressing was carried out with a controlled voltage at a constant capacitance of the capacitor. It was found that an increase in the amplitude of the impact force from 6 kN to 15 kN leads to a decrease in the water absorption of ceramic samples from 21.6 % to 12.1—15.0 %, open porosity from 34.6 % to 21.6—27.0 %, and a threefold increase in mechanical strength. In comparison with samples of static pressing, the cold crushing strength of dynamic pressing samples increases by 34 % (from 8.7 MPa to 13.1 MPa) even with the minimum amplitude of the impact force (6 kN). The macrostructure, phase composition and properties of dynamic pressing ceramic samples obtained at firing temperatures of 920 °C and 950 °C have been studied. It was found that the samples had practically the same level of technical characteristics (water absorption, density, and strength) and they were similar in structure and phase composition (quartz, microcline, ɑ-hematite, X-ray amorphous phase). The possibility of obtaining ceramic materials with a completed process of the structural-phase composition formation and properties at a lower firing temperature has been established.
 On the basis of carried out studies, the possibility of using dynamic pressing as a method for intensifying structural-phase transformations during sintering of ceramic materials has been shown, which can serve as a reserve for energy saving when obtaining ordinary structural building ceramics of increased grade.

Challenges in the Application of Dendrochemistry in Research on Historical Environmental Pollution in an Old Copper Mining Area

This research investigates the long-term environmental impact and historical temporal pollution patterns caused by a former copper mine in Iwiny (south-western Poland) using a dendrochemical approach. An additional aspect of this research was considering the possibility of using the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) measurement technique as a cheaper alternative to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in dendrochemical analyses conducted in copper mining areas. In the study area, a tailings storage facility (TSF) dam failure (1967) took place and the alkaline flotation waste containing high concentration of Cu and Pb are stored. Tree cores from pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) were analysed for the content of 11 trace elements (TEs) (Cd, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, Pb, Cu, Fe, Al, Ag) using the ICP-OES technique, while tree rings’ widths (TRWs) were also measured. Samples that were most significant in the context of the research goals were verified with the ICP-MS method. The results revealed the strong long-term impact of the copper industry as reflected in a substantial increase in the mean contents of: (1) Mn, Ni, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu and Fe in industrial vs. control trees, (2) TRWs for control vs. industrial trees. However, the observed patterns of TEs and TRWs did not correspond to the known timing of pollution inputs (mining activity, tailings spill). Peak levels were observed for Zn and Fe after the mine was closed. The lack of new sources of pollution and the temporal relationship strongly suggests that the tree rings recorded the chemical signal of the TSF reclamation (the use of fertilizers and agrotechnical interventions). Patterns of 7 elements were detected in most of the samples by ICP-OES (Co and Cd were not detected, Al and Ag were partly detected), while ICP-MS detected all of the elements. Significant differences were obtained for Ag, Cd, and Co. Despite challenges with the application of dendrochemistry in research on old mining areas (e.g., lack of old trees), it has proved to be a useful tool for investigating the aggregate environmental impact.

Air column of pressure hydrocyclone with pneumatic regulator

A reliable non-contact pneumatic pressure regulator of a pressure hydrocyclone is offered. The regulator is installed in the area of ​​the sand nozzle. The pneumatic regulator of the standard pressure cylindrical-conical hydrocyclone provides non-contact thickening of the product in the area of ​​the sand nozzle. In the process of controlling the operation of the hydrocyclone along its axis, an air column is formed. Features of the regulator affect the formation of the air column of the hydrocyclone. The pressure in the air column is manometric.
 The task is to investigate the effect of pulp pressure at the inlet of the hydrocyclone, pulp thickening and air column pressure. Experimental studies were performed in the laboratory on a model of a standard industrial cylindrical-conical hydrocyclone HC360. The connection between the technological parameters of the hydrocyclone operation and the pressure in the air column has been studied. to establish possibilities of control of work of a hydrocyclone on pressure in an air column. The planning of the experiment in the laboratory on a hydrocyclone model was performed in the program Statgraphics Centurion XV.
 Experimental studies were performed for the optimal parameters of the angle and slit of the pneumatic regulator. The optimization criterion is chosen – the maximum effect of pulp thickening while minimizing local energy losses in the nozzle. In laboratory conditions, the change in pulp pressure and density at the inlet of the hydrocyclone over the entire operating range is simulated. The laboratory model of the hydrocyclone was made on a scale of M1:10. Flotation waste was used as pulp. Modeling of hydrocyclone operation as a part of water-sludge system at the concentrator is carried out. The density of the solid phase is 1500 kg/m3.
 The solids content at the inlet is 10 g/l. Samples were taken by volumetric measurement with a measuring vessel. A statistically significant relationship between the pressure in the air column of the hydrocyclone and the effect of pulp thickening in a standard cylindrical-conical hydrocyclone was established. The presence of the linear character of the dependence of the coefficient of thickening and pressure in the air column of the hydrocyclone with the pneumatic regulator is checked. The absence of a statistically significant effect of hydrocyclone supply pressure on the dependence of other selected factors was established.
 Experimental studies were carried out at the optimal design parameters of the pneumatic regulator according to the criteria of minimizing the loss of energy of air current in the nozzle and minimizing the volumetric flow of air.

Finding the Specific Surface Area of an Organomineral Sorbent Produced by Electroplasma Treatment of Coal Flotation Waste

This paper dwells upon finding the specific surface area of cake, a coal enrichment waste, exposed to electroplasma treatment; the goal is to make an organomineral porous material to be used as a sorbent for wastewater treatment. The research team used a monomolecular Langmuir adsorption model and surface tension of the surfactants before and after adsorption at the interface of solution and solid adsorbent. Another process considered herein was thermal activation of substances in the electroplasmic reactor for making organomineral porous materials from coal cakes. The paper presents the resulting specific surfaces area of the organomineral sorbent thus produced. Thus, the waste of flotation, i.e. coal cake, is fundamentally suitable for making porous substances by thermal destruction in an electroplasma reactor.

To Study Some Characteristics of Porosity of Organomineral Sorbents Obtained by Electroplasmic Processing from Coal Flotation Waste

The article considers the basis for creating organic mineral sorbents with a highly developed porous structure from coal mineral raw materials aimed at developing methods for deep processing of waste coal enrichment - coal cake of the Tugnui coal processing plant by means of electroplasmic activation of its substance, with the development of technology for obtaining carbon sorbents, with the study of their porosity characteristics, the average diameter of macropores for judging the degree of thermal destruction and activation occurring on the surfaces of dispersed cake particles during electroplasmic processing during the implementation of a comprehensive study of coal-mineral raw materials designed to further develop the scientific basis for creating organic-mineral sorbents for wastewater treatment. The article provides microscopic analysis of the composition of the substance of coal-mineral raw materials, data on the composition of minerals included in the substance, determines the composition of the functional groups of cake before and after thermal exposure using IR-spectroscopy, as well as using optical microscopy, studies the porosity of the organomineral sorbent and calculates the average size of macropores.

Leaching of gold from flotation waste by thiourea

Throughout human history, gold has been the most sought-after and well-known precious metal in the world. It is synonymous with wealth in the financial market and jewellery. However, its use has a wide range of applicability in biomedicine, electronic engineering and other industries. Primary gold resources are limited and have been significantly depleted in recent decades. To cover the current demand, it is necessary to process secondary sources containing gold such as heaps, tailings, lean ores or electrical waste. New and especially more efficient technological procedures are needed for the processing of these secondary sources. From an environmental point of view, a hydrometallurgical process is considered to be more appropriate than a pyrometallurgical process, in which very toxic fumes enter the air. This work investigates the leaching of gold from flotation wastes using thiourea. It is flotation waste that is the target group of materials that are a source of precious metals. An interesting gold content is present in our waste sample (Hodruša Hámre tailings pond), but its evaluation depends on the setting of suitable technological conditions. In this work, thiourea is used as an alternative leaching agent to toxic cyanide, which is banned in Slovakia and many countries around the world due to its high environmental risk. The results of the study are described with respect to the gold recovery under optimized thiourea leaching conditions.

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ НЕОРГАНИЧЕСКИХ РЕАГЕНТОВ-МОДИФИКАТОРОВ ДЛЯ ИЗВЛЕЧЕНИЯ СЕРОСОДЕРЖАЩИХ ПРИМЕСЕЙ ПРИ ФЛОТАЦИИ ГАЗОВЫХ УГЛЕЙ

The relevance of the research lies in the need to remove sulphur-containing compounds from coal raw materials at the lowest cost to reduce the environmental load in the areas of coal use. The object of the study is coals of the “G” brand of the Kuznetsk basin of the Kirov mine. The subject of the study is the petrographic and chemical composition of coals, the content of sulphur impurities. The aim of the study is to develop selective reagent flotation modes using inorganic reagents-modifiers. Research objectives: – to determine the petrographic and chemical composition of coals; – to conduct flotation studies using the foam flotation method; – to evaluate the effect of inorganic reagents-modifiers on the φ - potential and hydration of the coal surface; – to determine the mechanism of modifiers’ action on the depression of sulphur-containing impurities of coals. Methodology and methods of research. A complex of physical, chemical and physico-chemical research methods has been used in the work. The degree of scientific development of the topic. A promising direction for reducing sulphur-containing emissions is to increase the selectivity of the flotation process by modifying the coal surface. Results: petrographic analysis of the studied coals has showed that the main micro-component is vitrinite (85 %); chemical analysis indicates that the humidity of the coals is 2.27 %, the ash content is 17.82 %, the yield of volatile substances is 32.90 %, the mass fraction of inorganic sulphur is 0.38 %, organic sulphur is 0.43 %. A comparative analysis of qualitative and quantitative indicators of coal flotation shows that the use of non-organic reagents-modifiers can significantly increase the extraction of sulfur into flotation waste. The analysis of the kinetics of changes in the electrode potential of pyrite indicates an increase in the potential values in the presence of these reagents and a decrease in the hydration of the pyrite surface. The obtained results indicate the expediency of using inorganic salts as modifier reagents that contribute to reducing the sulfur content in coal concentrates due to the depression of pyrite-containing impurities due to an increase in the hydration of their surface

Effect of activating treatment of halite flotation waste in backfill mixture preparation

Effect of activating treatment of halite flotation waste in backfill mixture preparation

Activity and Diversity of Microorganisms in Root Zone of Plant Species Spontaneously Inhabiting Smelter Waste Piles.

The aim was to assess plant driven changes in the activity and diversity of microorganisms in the top layer of the zinc and lead smelter waste piles. The study sites comprised two types (flotation waste—FW and slag waste—SW) of smelter waste deposits in Piekary Slaskie, Poland. Cadmium, zinc, lead, and arsenic contents in these technosols were extremely high. The root zone of 8 spontaneous plant species (FW—Thymus serpyllum, Silene vulgaris, Solidago virgaurea, Echium vulgare, and Rumex acetosa; and SW—Verbascum thapsus; Solidago gigantea, Eupatorium cannabinum) and barren areas of each waste deposit were sampled. We observed a significant difference in microbial characteristics attributed to different plant species. The enzymatic activity was mostly driven by plant-microbial interactions and it was significantly greater in soil affected by plants than in bulk soil. Furthermore, as it was revealed by BIOLOG Ecoplate analysis, microorganisms inhabiting barren areas of the waste piles rely on significantly different sources of carbon than those found in the zone affected by spontaneous plants. Among phyla, Actinobacteriota were the most abundant, contributing to at least 25% of the total abundance. Bacteria belonging to Blastococcus genera were the most abundant with the substantial contribution of Nocardioides and Pseudonocardia, especially in the root zone. The contribution of unclassified bacteria was high—up to 38% of the total abundance. This demonstrates the unique character of bacterial communities in the smelter waste.

Sustainable materials from hazardous lead ore flotation waste in composites with spent foundry sand and clay

The aim of this study was the experimental tests of the mechanical properties and structure formation processes of sustainable ceramics from hazardous lead ore flotation waste, spent foundry sand, and natural red clay to produce sustainable ceramics. The lead was mined on a large scale from lead ores in the city of Adrianopolis, Brazil, for 58 years. The wastes from this activity bequeathed profound environmental and social impacts. The mechanical characteristics of twenty compositions of the ceramics were analyzed through the flexural resistance, water absorption, apparent density, and linear shrinkage; the study of the physicochemical processes of the ceramics’ mineral composite transitions and structure formation during sintering at 900–1250 °C was accomplished using XRD, SEM, EDS, AAS, and LAMMA methods. All ceramics presented flexural resistance (until 10.08 MPa) in comparison with the values established in the Brazilian national standards (> 1.5 MPa), with low water absorption and shrinkage. Ceramics with 7% of the flotation waste and 10% spent foundry sand, whose resistance reached from 3.7 to 10.1 MPa, showed the best mechanical properties. Leaching and solubility analyses by AAS method showed that there is no environmental jeopardy in using these compositions to produce sustainable ceramics.