Die Identifikation neuer mineralischer Roh- und Reststoffe für den Einsatz in der Betonherstellung, sowohl als puzzolanisch wirksame Komponenten als auch als inertes Füllmaterial, gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. In diesem Zusammenhang wurde in Forschungsarbeiten am Steinbeis-Innovationszentrum FiberCrete in Zusammenarbeit mit der TU Chemnitz und dem Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg für Ressourcentechnologie die Eignung eines Zinnhaldenmaterials hinsichtlich seines potenziellen Einsatzes als mineralischer Zusatzstoff in Betonen untersucht. Die dort verfügbare Menge von rd. 3 Mio. t Haldenmaterial eröffnet ein erhebliches Potenzial für eine ressourceneffiziente und regionale Verwertung in bautechnischen Anwendungen und stellt somit einen vielversprechenden Ansatz zur Entlastung konventioneller Rohstoffquellen dar.
Use of tailings from precious metal extraction for the production of concrete paving blocks
The identification of new mineral raw materials and waste materials for use in concrete production – both as pozzolanic components and as inert fillers – is becoming increasingly important. In this context, research carried out at the Steinbeis Innovation Centre FiberCrete, in collaboration with Chemnitz University of Technology and the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, investigated the suitability of tin tailings with regard to their potential use as a mineral additive in concrete. The approximately 3 million tonnes of tailings material available there offers considerable potential for resource- efficient and regional utilisation in construction applications and thus represents a promising approach to reducing the strain on conventional raw material sources. The investigations show that the processed tailings material represents a technically sound alternative to conventional aggregates for both core and facing concretes. In collaboration with the recomine consortium, a further developed processing and utilisation concept is being drawn up as part of a project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Due to its wide availability and favourable mineralogical properties, the material fundamentally offers the potential to be used in the long term as a resource-conserving building material. At the same time, however, it must be borne in mind that replacing natural sand and gravel – which are currently available in sufficient quantities – only makes economic sense if the waste rock material can be used directly in its existing form, ideally without the need for complex separation or grinding processes. In this context, it is necessary to examine the extent to which the direct use of the material may also be beneficial from an environmental perspective, particularly as its composition offers the potential to conserve existing resources whilst enabling the sustainable utilisation of mining legacies.