An Alternative Method for the Obtention of Ceramic Foams from Gold and Silver Tailings with High Pyrite Content

Mining extraction operations generate a large number of tailings that contain different mineral phases such as quartz (principally), complex silicates, metallic elements, etc. Tailings impose serious concern it is possible to have acid mine drainage potential, leaching, and percolation events heavy metals into the environment under certain conditions. The objective this work was evaluate technical feasibility producing ceramic foams from gold silver with high sulfide gangue through previous flotation process eliminate impurities associated gangue, can produce SO2 in foaming process, analyze effect sintering time temperature on characteristics obtained type waste. results showed inverse reduced presence sulfides. In addition, observe absence agent, obtain an apparent density mechanical strength near 1.0 g/cm3 0.5 MPa, respectively, when higher were used. On other hand, agent without decreasing great extent at lower temperatures.