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Enhancing Tailings Stability with Polymers and Industrial By-Products: An Experimental Study
Yazeed A Alsharedah1, Aly Ahmed2, Fayyaz Ullah3
1Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia.
Polymers
|May 27, 2026
Summary
This study improved weak mine tailings using cement kiln dust (CKD) and gypsum blends, significantly enhancing strength and reducing water flow. Polymer treatments also showed promise for geotechnical applications.
Area of Science:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Upstream tailings stability is a major geotechnical challenge due to the poor mechanical properties of fine-grained mine waste.
- Effective methods are needed to improve tailing strength, reduce compressibility, and control hydraulic conductivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of using emulsified polymer and combinations of recycled gypsum and cement kiln dust (CKD) for mine tailing improvement.
- To assess the impact of these treatments on the mechanical and hydraulic properties of tailings.
Main Methods:
- Conducted unconfined compressive strength (UCS) analysis, direct shear tests (DSTs), and oedometer consolidation tests.
- Evaluated various treatment mixtures, focusing on CKD-gypsum blends at a 1:2 ratio and 10% dosage, and emulsified polymer treatments.
Main Results:
- CKD-gypsum blends significantly improved shear strength, reduced compressibility (cc from 0.15 to 0.05), and lowered hydraulic conductivity by over 10 times.
- Commercial gypsum inclusion boosted UCS by >100% and increased cohesion (c') to 32.8-47.2 kPa.
- Emulsified polymers enhanced properties but less effectively than CKD-gypsum blends.
Conclusions:
- Industrial by-products like CKD and gypsum offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution for improving tailing performance.
- Polymer-based solutions show potential for geoenvironmental applications, requiring further optimization.
- The study provides a foundation for utilizing waste materials in geotechnical engineering and developing hydraulic barriers.
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