Treatment and utilization of artificial aggregate in the production of cement composites

The aim of the work is to find a suitable way of treatment of steel ladle slag for subsequent use as a partial replacement of the binder component in cement composites. The goal is based on the raw materials policy of the Czech Republic. Within this work is solved the issue of possible use of steel slag as the largest by-product of steel production. The work is focused on a specific ladle slag from ladle furnaces, by which are equipped the modern steel plants. Ladle slag is similar in chemical composition to Portland cement. However, its mineralogical composition should be taken into account in relation to its expansion reactions and lower hydraulic activity. One of the goals is the research of effect of particle size in cement-slag mixtures. The slag was ground for research on two different specific surfaces - coarsely in a vibrating mill and finely in a ball mill. The research within the experimental part of the work verified the positive influence of ladle slag on the properties of fresh and hardened mortar mixtures. Tensile bending strengths and compressive strengths are for some mixtures with ladle slag even higher than the strengths of the reference mixtures.

Microscopic investigations of the flotation tailings from Baia Mare Central Pond for highlighting the sulphides

The strategy of the European Union regarding Raw Materials policy led to strategy called "Raw materials initiative" [1]. Thus, the use of waste dumps is encouraged in the sense of recovering the base metals through efficient eco-friendly technologies, according to the principles “fostering sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources, and boosting resource efficiency and promoting recycling” [2]. Microscopic investigations provide information on the minerals in which the elements of interest are present. In the case of the tailings from the Baia Mare Central Pond are followed the sulphides with base metal content Cu, Pb, Zn. These can be distributed individually or in mineral associations, along with the gangue minerals. By microscopic methods (scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and optical microscopy) sulphides and other minerals from the initial material were observed, as well as metallurgical slags from ore processing.

Recent developments in Raw Materials Policy in the European Union: perspective of EuroGeoSurveys as a data supplier

Mineral Raw Materials are of strategic importance for Europe’s economic growth and societal development. The European Commission addressed this challenge through the Raw Materials Initiative (RMI), stakeholders’ platform, the European Innovation Platform on Raw Materials (EIP-RM), and Horizon 2020 funding. The aim is to ensure security and sustainability of mineral raw materials supply from EU domestic and other primary and secondary sources and management of competing uses of the European surface and subsurface. The sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources requires an improved knowledge base of raw materials within the EU, namely the European Union Raw Materials Knowledge Base (EURMKB), where EuroGeoSurveys, the Geological Surveys of Europe, is one of the key data providers. Current European Commission policies have the same objectives that will be fully implemented in near future. The Mobility Package and its implementation activities (such as European Battery Alliance) and tools (including Horizon Europe) will strengthen the raw materials position in an overall EU policy setting.