Research landscape
A source-linked view of what has been tested, what the authors’ results support, and what still requires site-specific or field validation. These summaries are evidence signposts—not product approvals or universal recipes.
A growing evidence base
Tailings reuse spans mineral characterisation, separation and reprocessing, ceramics, concrete, geopolymers, environmental performance and closure planning.
Each paper answers a different part of the engineering question: what is in the residue, what can it become, what has been demonstrated, and what remains before deployment?
Research evidence ledger
Material characterisation; blend modification; product quality and environmental assessment; cradle-to-gate lifecycle assessment.
Untreated tailings performed satisfactorily in the assessed facing-brick blends. The study reports improved environmental performance at 40 wt% tailings.
Next: plant-specific blend and production QA.
Physical, chemical and mineralogical characterisation; EN 12457-2 leaching; sand replacement; strength and absorption.
The tested tailings were feasible as a sand substitute under the reported test conditions and did not produce toxic leachates in the study.
Next: local standards, durability and pilot manufacturing.
Gold and mercury assessment; mix-ratio trials; compressive strength and water absorption.
The tested units met the stated criteria for non-loadbearing masonry, with reported compressive strength of 5.02–13.3 MPa.
Next: durability, QA and production-scale validation.
XRD; curing and activator optimisation; compressive strength; water absorption; durability; cost analysis.
Under the investigated conditions, geopolymer bricks achieved strength up to 50.53 MPa and met cited brick requirements.
Next: reagent handling, long-term exposure and plant economics.
Peer-reviewed literature and cases on iron-ore and gold tailings in construction materials and Australian standards.
Fine-aggregate substitution is promising, while variability, durability, leaching and practical scale-up determine transferability.
Use as a checklist for pilot design.