SCHOLARLAB FOUNDATION

Project Details

17 September, 2025 Published By: Dr. Bipul Krishna Saha

Recycling Mining Wastes for Sustainable Construction Materials

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Recycling Mining Wastes for Sustainable Construction Materials

This project, spearheaded by ScholarLab Foundation in association with Dr. Bishnu Pada Bose, is dedicated to recycling coal mine overburden (OB) and waste into sustainable construction materials. The initiative promotes a circular economy by transforming mining by-products into high-quality bricks, concrete, and aggregates — reducing environmental hazards while creating affordable building resources.

Background

India’s coal mining activities generate enormous amounts of overburden waste, which traditionally remains unused and poses serious environmental risks. By leveraging advanced screening, washing, and segregation processes, these wastes can be converted into fine/coarse aggregates, carbonaceous materials, and silt — providing raw materials for construction.

Process Flow

  • Screen and pulverize large boulders into aggregates.
  • Wash and segregate fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, and carbonaceous materials.
  • Utilize by-products for energy harvesting and sustainable construction applications.
  • Integrate into new lifecycle pathways for bricks, concrete, and mortar production.

Experimental Achievements

The project has produced brick and concrete samples using mine wastes. Tests compared to Indian Standard (IS) codes show that recycled materials meet or exceed conventional standards:

  • Bricks: Compressive strength: 7.74–35.18 MPa (IS requirement: 3.5–35 MPa)
  • Water absorption within 11–12% (IS requirement: <20%)
  • Bulk density comparable to conventional bricks (1.98–2.07 gm/cc)
  • Concrete: M30 grade strength achieved at 32.26 MPa vs IS requirement of 30 MPa

Cost Benefits

Recycling mine waste significantly reduces construction costs:

  • Brick cost reduced to ₹3–6 vs traditional ₹6–10 per unit.
  • Concrete cost per m³ reduced by ~₹1,250 (24% savings) compared to conventional aggregates.

Impact and Circular Economy

The project redefines waste as a valuable resource. By introducing recycling methods for coal mine overburden:

  • Reduces environmental impact of mine dumps.
  • Provides low-cost, high-quality construction materials.
  • Creates new livelihood opportunities in rural and mining regions.
  • Promotes circular economy by reintegrating mining waste into construction lifecycle.