Abstract:
This paper systematically analyzes the particle size distribution characteristics, chemical composition and mineral composition of classified fine tailings and coarse tailings from the Shishudi Gold Mine. By utilizing low-carbon cementitious materials composed of industrial solid wastes such as slag powder, steel slag powder, and fly ash, the feasibility of large-scale utilization of gold tailings in full pavement structure applications is thoroughly investigated. Geotechnical tests reveal that both types of tailings belong to low-liquid-limit sandy silt(ML). The classified fine tailings exhibit an optimum moisture content of 9.5%, a maximum dry density of 2.01 g/cm
3, and a California Bearing Ratio(CBR) of 21.6%, fully meeting the technical requirements for subgrade fillers. Pavement base layer tests demonstrate that composites of fine/coarse tailings with low-carbon cementitious material(10% dosage) achieve 7-day unconfined compressive strengths 5%-20% higher than those of the cement-bonded system, with softening coefficients improved by 2%-18%.Pavement concrete tests confirm that when classified coarse tailings(composited with 20% river sand) serve as fine aggregate, the 28-day compressive strength of C35 concrete reaches 46.6 MPa, while the cost per cubic meter decreases by over 50 yuan, Economic analysis indicates that adopting this technical system can reduce pavement costs by more than 25% per square meter. This research provides a comprehensive technical solution for the large-scale application of gold tailings in transportation infrastructure.