Effect of sulfidic mine tailings used as mineral admixtures on the hydration of common and alternative cements

In this work, we investigate the use of pyrite-rich tailings from an operational mine as mineral admixture in different cement matrices [Portland cement, calcium aluminate cement (CAC), and calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA)]. Hydration and microstructure changes were studied on cement pastes produced with a 30 wt% replacement of cement with tailings, up to 200 days. Based on our results, the effect of the tailings on the hydration of Portland cement is limited to a physical effect, and no sulfide-induced degradation is observed. In the CAC and CSA pastes, minor mineral phases present in the tailings chemically react, leading to changes in the mineral phase composition of CAC and CSA hydrated pastes. In addition, in all cement pastes studied, and more effectively in the CSA pastes, most of the metal(loid)s contained in the tailings were safely immobilized. Cement chemistry notation: C: CaO; A: Al₂O₃; F: Fe₂O₃; S: SiO₂; S̅: SO₃; c: CO₂; H: H₂O.