Fabricación de bloques de cemento utilizando como parte de los áridos relaves mineros que generan las plantas de beneficio aproplasmin de Zaruma – Portovelo

Abstract

The mining industry involves both environmental and social problems; the tailings discarded in the open air contain heavy metals and chemical agents used during the extraction of precious metals that generate considerable levels of contamination. For this reason, in the present work a methodology was developed to elaborate Class C concrete blocks including tailings as part of the aggregates, the objective is to find the dosage that presents the best results by reusing mining waste. For the development of the research, we began with the collection of raw materials, proceeding to their respective characterization and analysis to comply with the requirements stipulated in the NTE INEN 872 Standard Aggregates for Concrete. Subsequently, the experimental design was started, based on previous research, 7 dosages were proposed with different percentages of each aggregate (including tailings) that constitute the blocks with the purpose of analyzing if by varying them they present different physical and mechanical results. By means of this methodology and the tests carried out, which are included in the NTE INEN 3066 Standard Concrete Blocks Requirements and Test Methods, it was obtained that dosage 3 with a composition of 15% tailings presents the best results, both in compressive strength and in density and water absorption, which are the most relevant data to categorize a block; it was also determined that the percentage of lead present in the manufactured block is 0.1604 ppm, not representing a health risk. With this methodology, a dosage was obtained for the manufacture of class C blocks from aggregates used in the manufacture of conventional blocks and the inclusion of 15% of tailings that contribute to reduce pollution and the efficient use of mining waste.