## 3 The Role of Mining Tailings in Advancing Sustainable Construction Practices
### Mining Tailings: Other Uses  
In addition to all the applications discussed in the previous sections, mining tailings are finding expanded uses in the construction industry. One novel application is in glass manufacturing, where tailings rich in silica provide a perfect raw material. [PERSON] et al. [190] evaluated raw, water-treated, nitric acid-treated, and sulfuric acid-treated gold mine tailings to determine their effectiveness in glass production. The findings revealed that sulfuric acid-treated tailings yielded satisfactory quality for green glass, whereas raw, water-treated, and nitric acid-treated tailings exhibited white residues that compromised the glass quality. The research suggested further refining of sulfuric acid-treated tailings to decrease the iron oxide content, potentially extending their use beyond green and amber glass production. [PERSON] et al. [191] investigated the use of tailings from fluorite mines, which are rich in calcium, to produce commercial glass by adding varying amounts of soda. The study revealed that glasses with a lower soda content displayed increased stability against crystallization but were more challenging to produce due to stricter temperature constraints during processing. These findings demonstrated that fluorite mine tailings could be transformed into commercial glass that effectively encapsulates potentially toxic elements, thereby mitigating the environmental risks associated with tailings disposal. The glass containing 20% Na2 CO3 proved particularly effective in this capacity, though economic considerations must be taken into account to balance the cost against the environmental benefits. This method offers a promising avenue for repurposing hazardous mine waste into useful and environmentally friendly products. [PERSON] et al. [192] explored the creation of lightweight glass ceramics using phosphorus tailings and coal gangue, focusing on developing eco-friendly building materials. The study analyzed the effects of different proportions of phosphorus tailings and heat-treatment temperatures on the ceramics' properties and environmental safety. The findings indicated that increased phosphorus tailings led to larger pore sizes and improved insulation properties, while higher heat-treatment temperatures enhanced the material's resistance to water and corrosion. Optimal conditions were identified as 80 wt% phosphorus tailings at a heat-treatment temperature of 1160 \({}^{\circ}\)C, producing ceramics with excellent porosity, strength, and durability. Tailings are also utilized as versatile fill material in various construction and landscaping endeavors. Their utility ranges from serving as sub-base materials for roads to filling voids or being used to reclaim unused land areas. Employing tailings in these capacities effectively manages large volumes of these materials, which helps in diminishing the need for extracting and processing new raw materials. This method not only provides a sustainable solution to waste management but supports environmental conservation efforts. For instance, [PERSON] et al. [193] highlighted the use of mine waste as raw materials for infrastructure, potentially impacting local communities and broader European mining activities positively. This initiative explored the economic and social benefits of recycling mine tailings into new materials that could replace commonly used substances in infrastructure projects. The focus was on developing a design method for alkali-activated materials that utilize mine and quarry wastes, aiming to create less porous and more durable materials than traditional road paving options. Further research has categorized the use of mining wastes in road construction into several forms: direct use without treatment, stabilization with hydraulic binders like cement or lime, stabilization through geopolymerization, and use with asphalt [194]. Untreated coarse coal wastes, for example, have been adapted for use as gravel in various applications, including pipeline ditch refills and parking lot surfaces.