Properties, Treatment and Resource Utilization of Bauxite Tailings: A Review

Yuansheng Peng, Zhongping Chen, Xiaohui Sun (), Yuefu Zhou and Xiaoduo Ou
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Yuansheng Peng: College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Zhongping Chen: College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Xiaohui Sun: College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Yuefu Zhou: College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Xiaoduo Ou: College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-26

Abstract: A substantial amount of bauxite tailings (BTs) at abandoned mine sites have been stored in waste reservoirs for long periods, leading to significant land occupation and environmental degradation. Although many studies of the resource utilization of BTs were conducted to address this challenge, there is still a lack of efforts to systematically review the state of the art in BTs. In the present paper, a systematic literature review was carried out to summarize and analyze the properties, treatment, and resource utilization of BTs. Physical characteristics and the mineral and chemical composition of BTs are introduced. The efficacy of physical, chemical, and microbial treatment methods for BTs in terms of dehydration are outlined, and their respective benefits and limitations are discussed. Moreover, the extraction process of valuable elements (e.g., Si, Al, Fe, Li, Na, Nd, etc.) from BTs is examined, and the diverse applications of BTs in adsorption materials, ceramic materials, cementitious materials, lightweight aggregates, foamed mixture lightweight soil, among others, are studied. Finally, an efficient and smart treatment strategy for BTs was proposed. The findings of the present review provide a scientific basis and reference for future research focusing on the treatment and resource utilization of BTs.

Keywords: bauxite tailings; physical characteristics; mineral and chemical composition; treatments; resource utilization; tailings management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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