The usage of originating debris of copper leaching processes in cement concretes

Abstract

The Mining of copper generates great amounts of debris which come from the process of leaching by Sulfuric acid, which are discarded and then accumulated. In the process of finding alternative methods, the present research pretends to find the positive and negative effects of using this type of concrete, given the fact that these accumulate an appreciable amount of copper sulphate and some other impurities, which tend to reject their utilization. Because of the great amount of fines, sulphates and chlorides it was necessary to wash out the material before it was used. Concretes were made, each an every one had a different water/concrete (w/c) relationship, maintaining the consistency and the relationship burdens-sand constant, also varying the type of cement and comparing results with a pattern concrete elaborated with barren normal thickness. The results show us that the washing out of the materials only has a great efficiency in the elimination of fines, but not in the elimination of chlorides and sulphates. The test concretes made of leaching debris had a slightly greater resistance the first days and show a tendency that would indicate a lost one of resistance with the age. The survey concluded that this material can be used for secondary concrete structures, which would be useful for a short time in dry surroundings.