Amethyst quartz tailings in cement mortars production

ABSTRACT

Brazil has immense potential in the production of quartz and its gem varieties, consequently generating huge amounts of waste. This research aims to utilize the amethyst quartz tailings from the Alto Bonito mine-Brazil accumulated for decades in waste dumps, through a specific study of cementitious mortar production, considering the mineralogical and chemical characterization; evaluation the use of tailings as a fine aggregate for mortar production; estimate the technical feasibility through mechanical tests and; characterize of specimens by SEM after breakage. The tailings are quartz associated with mica. Quartz is polycrystalline with medium to fine grain, being SiO₂ the main component. The comminuted tailings showed a very fine fineness modulus, affecting the formulations. With cement:tailings (1:3) traces the mechanical tests show 5.65 Mpa and 1.05 Mpa to compressive and flexural strength respectively, slightly below the reference. The fine-sized and metamorphic morphology of the tailings affects the mechanical strength of the mortar. The process adopted in the production of mortars with total replacement of the fine aggregate have a great impact contributing to the reduction of waste in dumps, minimizing the environmental impact of mining, in addition to benefiting the Amethyst Miners Cooperative.

Keywords
Amethyst Gem; Quartzite; Aggregate; Civil Construction