Manufacture of tailings-based cementitious materials: Insights into tailings activation strategies

Solid waste-based cementitious materials are low-cost and have the advantages of low energy consumption and low carbon emissions compared to conventional cement. Tailings, a type of solid waste with potential pozzolanic activity, have attracted attention due to their large production volume and complex composition, which is difficult to handle. Using tailings as raw materials for cementitious materials can reduce tailings storage and promote the sustainable development of the cement and concrete industry. However, there are still significant challenges in preparing cementitious materials from tailings. These challenges hinder the improvement of their material properties and practical applications. In this review, we first identify the key issues in the field of tailings and cementitious materials. We then explore the mechanisms and regulation strategies for separating and utilizing tailings components. We also examine methods to enhance the cementitious activity of tailings. Additionally, we discuss the current opportunities and challenges in this field. This review aims to provide new perspectives on tailings activation and opens promising avenues for improving the performance of tailings-based cementitious materials.