Utilization of Iron Ore Tailings for Brick Manufacture from Donimalai Mines of Karnataka, India

The iron tailings were mixed in various proportions with different combinations of cement, sand, and sodium silicate to obtain or value-added product out of iron tailing waste which is suitable for use in the construction industry. Bricks were made using a variety of compositions of iron tailings, Ordinary Portland Cement, sodium silicate, and sand in cuboid mould (9″X 5″X 3″). The bricks were dried for 24 hours, and then kilned at 115 ± 10°C for 24 hours. Mechanical features such as water absorption, compressive strength, and efflorescence are tested. The maximum compressive strength rating of 8.58 N/mm² was recorded with ratios of 8:2 (Iron tailing and cement). However, in process of making it economical, the ratio of 9:1 has opted and this ratio complies with the requirement of the Indian standard (IS: 1077:1992) of the common burnt clay building bricks. Water absorption for the proposed bricks is less than that of burnt clay bricks. The lower capillary pore can prevent the formation of efflorescence. This process, with the same parameters, can be exchanged commercially, and a large number of wastes of iron ore can be used to make bricks. Therefore, the technological processes identified in this paper can convert large amounts of hazardous waste into the environment into value-added products. Iron tailing can be seen as a stable addition to clay soils, its use when restricted to making bricks. This research helps to open a new area of research.