Research status and prospects of geopolymers preparation from tailings

The accumulation of tailings, one of the largest industrial solid wastes in China, occupies large tract of land. Moreover, the release of heavy metals contained in tailings causes serious pollution to the surrounding environment. Thus, the harmless comprehensive utilization of tailings is a pressing agenda for mining enterprises. Tailings contain relatively large contents of silicon and aluminum oxides, which are similar to the major components of geopolymer. Thus, tailings can be used to produce geopolymer. On the basis of introducing the existing research status of geopolymer preparation technologies out of tailings, this paper summarizes the pros and cons of each preparation process. The future development trends of geopolymer preparation from tailings are projected.