Per: felipe keven de carvalho neves (aMG - BRASIL), Rochel Monteiro Lago (UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MINAS GERAIS - UFMG), Carlos Valdir Gusmão (AMG - BRASIL ), Arthur de Paula Cardoso (amg-brasil), Ana Paula Carvalho Teixeira (UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MINAS GERAIS - UFMG), Caymon de Siqueira Assumpção (amg-brasil)
Abstract:
The search for sustainable alternatives for the reuse of mining tailing has led AMG, in partnership with the Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP), to conduct studies to identify routes for the disposal of aluminosilicate generated in the current production of spodumene concentrates, tantalum, and in the future production of lithium carbonate. Through analyses using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Fluorescence Spectrophotometry (XRF), and complementary X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, the spodumene flotation tailing (tailing I) was directed towards the first phase of project development. The geopolymers and cementitious materials to be produced result from chemical reactions between the aluminosilicate tailing, metakaolin, and the alkaline activating solution sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide. Tests allowed determining the ideal proportion of components for the geopolymer activating solution. Different proportions of spodumene flotation tailing, namely 50%, 60%, 65%, and 70%, were used for producing test specimens. To quantitatively assess the performance of the materials generated, they were analyzed for their mechanical resistance, using the white sample with no tailing added as a comparison standard. It was identified that the sample composed of 50% tailing I would be ideal, and further tests were conducted accordingly. For tailing II, from the lithium carbonate production process, analyses with different compositions were carried out; however, they did not exhibit sufficient strength. The project has the collaboration of Escalab – UFMG lab and together with the AMG Brazil team, conducted proof of concept and bench-scale product development, and contributed to the structuring of the production space and industrial layout based on AMG's production needs. The project reaffirms AMG's commitment to sustainability.
