Analysis of Geomechanical Properties of Mine Waste Using Cementitious and Pozzolanic Agents: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Managing mine waste remains a formidable global challenge, driven by substandard geomechanical properties and significant contamination risks. While binder-based stabilization offers a promising remedy, the extant literature remains strikingly fragmented, hindering standardized application. This study aims to synthesize and critically compare scientific evidence on the effectiveness of Portland Cement versus pozzolanic precursors for mine waste valorization. To this end, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, formulating research questions under the PICO framework and applying the PRISMA protocol, which enabled the selection of 68 articles from the Scopus, Scielo, and Science Direct databases. The results indicate that stabilization performance is governed by the chemical compatibility between the waste and the binder, rather than by a universal formulation. Although Portland Cement serves as a high strength benchmark, achieving compressive strengths of up to 120 MPa, pozzolanic precursors can achieve superior performance, reaching up to 132 MPa under optimized conditions. Furthermore, strength development does not scale linearly with binder dosage, as an optimal addition range of 50-60% was identified to maximize efficiency. These findings suggest a paradigm shift from a volumetric approach towards one that treats mine waste as a reactive chemical component, where mineralogical characterization forms the basis of formulation design. The main limitation identified is the reliance on thermal curing (60-90°C) in laboratory studies, which constitutes the greatest barrier to in-situ application. Therefore, future research should focus on the development of high-performance formulations effective at ambient temperature to bridge the gap between experimental feasibility and practical application.