Potential of Mechanochemically Activated Sulfidic Mining Waste Rock for Alkali Activation

Sulfidic mining waste rock is a side stream from the mining industry with a potential environmental burden. Alkali activation is a promising method for transforming mining waste into construction materials. However, the low reactivity of minerals can be a sizeable challenge in alkali activation. In the present study, the reactivity of waste rock was enhanced by mechanochemical treatment with a LiCl-containing grinding aid. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) analysis were utilized to display the structural alteration of individual minerals. A schematic implication of the grinding mechanism of mica was provided according to the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The alkaline solubility displayed the enhanced chemical reactivity of the waste rock, in which Si and Al solubility increased by roughly 10 times and 40 times, respectively. The amorphization of aluminosilicate is achieved through chemical assisted mechanochemical activation. Sulfidic waste rock, as the sole precursor in alkali activation, achieved a 28-day compressive strength exceeding 10 MPa under ambient curing conditions. The simulation of the upscaled grinding process was conducted via the HSC Chemistry ® software with a life-cycle assessment. The results showed that mining waste rock can be a promising candidate for geopolymer production with a lower carbon footprint, compared to traditional Portland cement. Graphical Abstract