The viability of using gold mine tailings as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete mixes

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dc.contributor.advisorBeushausen, Hans-Dieter
dc.contributor.advisorSimon, Jaziitha
dc.contributor.authorGani, Saajidah Abdool Rehman
dc.date.accessioned2025-11-17T13:28:37Z
dc.date.available2025-11-17T13:28:37Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-11-17T13:27:10Z
dc.description.abstractUrbanization has caused an increase in demand for building materials, some of which requires mined natural resources. These materials produce large volumes of mining wastes (also known as tailings) which have environmental and economic implications. This research investigates the potential of recycling gold mine tailings from the Witwatersrand region as a substitute for fine aggregates in concrete. Laboratory experiments were used to determine the physical properties, such as density and particle size distribution (PSD) and compare these physical properties with the other conventional fine aggregates used in this research, as well as the impact on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete mixes made using Gold mine tailings, focusing on the compressive strength. Gold mine tailings were found to have comparable PSD and fineness modulus to Philippi dune sand, although they contained a higher proportion of fine particles. Concrete mixes using varying replacement ratios of Philippi dune sand with Gold mine tailings were tested. Results indicated that at 28 days, all mixes achieved at least 76% of the reference mix strength. However, higher replacement ratios consistently reduced compressive strength due to increased water demand and resulted in a reduced cohesiveness at the cement-paste interface. Oxygen Permeability Index tests showed excellent results, suggesting low permeability. While the research confirms that replacing fine aggregates with Gold mine tailings results in decreased compressive strength and workability, literature suggests that a partial replacement of fine aggregate with other mine tailings may be possible. Further studies are recommended to determine the chemical composition of other mine tailings, the environmental impacts of using mine tailings in this manner, legislative frameworks, and economic viability to optimize the use of mine tailings in construction.
dc.identifier.apacitationGani, S. A. R. (2025). <i>The viability of using gold mine tailings as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete mixes</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Civil Engineering. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42238en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationGani, Saajidah Abdool Rehman. <i>"The viability of using gold mine tailings as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete mixes."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Civil Engineering, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42238en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationGani, S.A.R. 2025. The viability of using gold mine tailings as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete mixes. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Civil Engineering. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42238en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Gani, Saajidah Abdool Rehman AB - Urbanization has caused an increase in demand for building materials, some of which requires mined natural resources. These materials produce large volumes of mining wastes (also known as tailings) which have environmental and economic implications. This research investigates the potential of recycling gold mine tailings from the Witwatersrand region as a substitute for fine aggregates in concrete. Laboratory experiments were used to determine the physical properties, such as density and particle size distribution (PSD) and compare these physical properties with the other conventional fine aggregates used in this research, as well as the impact on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete mixes made using Gold mine tailings, focusing on the compressive strength. Gold mine tailings were found to have comparable PSD and fineness modulus to Philippi dune sand, although they contained a higher proportion of fine particles. Concrete mixes using varying replacement ratios of Philippi dune sand with Gold mine tailings were tested. Results indicated that at 28 days, all mixes achieved at least 76% of the reference mix strength. However, higher replacement ratios consistently reduced compressive strength due to increased water demand and resulted in a reduced cohesiveness at the cement-paste interface. Oxygen Permeability Index tests showed excellent results, suggesting low permeability. While the research confirms that replacing fine aggregates with Gold mine tailings results in decreased compressive strength and workability, literature suggests that a partial replacement of fine aggregate with other mine tailings may be possible. Further studies are recommended to determine the chemical composition of other mine tailings, the environmental impacts of using mine tailings in this manner, legislative frameworks, and economic viability to optimize the use of mine tailings in construction. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - gold mine tailings LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - The viability of using gold mine tailings as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete mixes TI - The viability of using gold mine tailings as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete mixes UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42238 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42238
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationGani SAR. The viability of using gold mine tailings as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete mixes. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Civil Engineering, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42238en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Civil Engineering
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectgold mine tailings
dc.titleThe viability of using gold mine tailings as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete mixes
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMSc (Eng)
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