3
In addition, this will allow evaluating if the geopoly-
merized cement will have an acidity-generating potential,
thus complementing the ABA tests.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Tailing Characterization
Mineralogical Tests
The results of X- ray fluorescence and XRD analysis of
the mine tailing sample R5 are presented in Table 1 and
Figure 1, respectively. The results show that the sample is
predominantly composed of Quartz (SiO2), with vary-
ing concentrations of other minerals such as Muscovite
(KAl2(AlSi3O11)(OH)2), Wollastonite (CaSiO3) and
Caolinite ((Al2Si2O5(OH)4).The mineral phases identified
in the sample are of particular interest due to the alumino-
silicates compounds for making geopolymer cement based
on tailings.
Chemical Analysis
The results of the chemical analysis of the tailing sample
(R5) using ICP-MS are shown in Table 2. The results show
that the sample contains varying concentrations of several
elements, including Cu, Cr, Mn, Pb and Zn.
Radiometric Analysis
Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K mea-
sured in the tailing sample together with the statistical error
are given in Table 3.
Geopolymerization Process
Geopolymerized tailing samples with different proportions
of SiO2/Al2O3 and SiO2/NaOH varying from 1 to 5 and
1 to 2 respectively were obtained [45]. The samples were
Table 1. Mineral composition of sample R5
Crystalline
phase
Formula Concentration
(%)
Quartz SiO2 81
Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O11)(OH)2 2.7
Wollastonite CaSiO3 1.5
Caolinite Al2Si2O5(OH)4 1.0
Hematite Fe2O3 0.7
Rutile TiO2 0.4
Trace elements Amorphous 12.7
Figure 1. XRD spectrum of tailing sample (R5)
Table 3. Activity concentration (Bq.Kgā1) of
226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K in tailing samples
Sample
R5 752.4 Ā± 35.7 9.9 Ā± 0.5 11.9 Ā± 0.6
šššš
š
ššššš
šš
ššššš
šš”
Table 2. Chemical composition obtained by ICP-MS1
Ag Al As Ba Be Bi Ca Cd Co Cr
ppm %ppm ppm ppm ppm %ppm ppm ppm
0.3 2.99 6 166 0.5 5 0.43 1 6 323
Cu Fe Ga K La Li Mg Mn Mo Na
ppm %ppm %ppm ppm %ppm ppm %
448.4 6.03 19 1.61 4.5 5 0.29 259 16 0.2
Nb Ni P Pb S Sb Sc Sn Sr Ti
ppm ppm %ppm %ppm ppm ppm ppm %
1 7 0.04 24 1.08 5 2.7 10 69.3 0.08
Tl V W Y Zn Zr Stotal S SO4 2- Hg
ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm %%%ppm
2 56 10 2.2 96.7 10.7 1.1 0.87 0.23 0.01
1Analysis performed at SGS laboratory
In addition, this will allow evaluating if the geopoly-
merized cement will have an acidity-generating potential,
thus complementing the ABA tests.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Tailing Characterization
Mineralogical Tests
The results of X- ray fluorescence and XRD analysis of
the mine tailing sample R5 are presented in Table 1 and
Figure 1, respectively. The results show that the sample is
predominantly composed of Quartz (SiO2), with vary-
ing concentrations of other minerals such as Muscovite
(KAl2(AlSi3O11)(OH)2), Wollastonite (CaSiO3) and
Caolinite ((Al2Si2O5(OH)4).The mineral phases identified
in the sample are of particular interest due to the alumino-
silicates compounds for making geopolymer cement based
on tailings.
Chemical Analysis
The results of the chemical analysis of the tailing sample
(R5) using ICP-MS are shown in Table 2. The results show
that the sample contains varying concentrations of several
elements, including Cu, Cr, Mn, Pb and Zn.
Radiometric Analysis
Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K mea-
sured in the tailing sample together with the statistical error
are given in Table 3.
Geopolymerization Process
Geopolymerized tailing samples with different proportions
of SiO2/Al2O3 and SiO2/NaOH varying from 1 to 5 and
1 to 2 respectively were obtained [45]. The samples were
Table 1. Mineral composition of sample R5
Crystalline
phase
Formula Concentration
(%)
Quartz SiO2 81
Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O11)(OH)2 2.7
Wollastonite CaSiO3 1.5
Caolinite Al2Si2O5(OH)4 1.0
Hematite Fe2O3 0.7
Rutile TiO2 0.4
Trace elements Amorphous 12.7
Figure 1. XRD spectrum of tailing sample (R5)
Table 3. Activity concentration (Bq.Kgā1) of
226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K in tailing samples
Sample
R5 752.4 Ā± 35.7 9.9 Ā± 0.5 11.9 Ā± 0.6
šššš
š
ššššš
šš
ššššš
šš”
Table 2. Chemical composition obtained by ICP-MS1
Ag Al As Ba Be Bi Ca Cd Co Cr
ppm %ppm ppm ppm ppm %ppm ppm ppm
0.3 2.99 6 166 0.5 5 0.43 1 6 323
Cu Fe Ga K La Li Mg Mn Mo Na
ppm %ppm %ppm ppm %ppm ppm %
448.4 6.03 19 1.61 4.5 5 0.29 259 16 0.2
Nb Ni P Pb S Sb Sc Sn Sr Ti
ppm ppm %ppm %ppm ppm ppm ppm %
1 7 0.04 24 1.08 5 2.7 10 69.3 0.08
Tl V W Y Zn Zr Stotal S SO4 2- Hg
ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm %%%ppm
2 56 10 2.2 96.7 10.7 1.1 0.87 0.23 0.01
1Analysis performed at SGS laboratory