Research & Innovation

Mines researchers turn mine tailings into high-performance construction materials

Reza Hedayat, right, and Farid Shabani stand in a Colorado School of Mines research lab as Shabani holds a mine tailings sample, with lab equipment and a presentation screen in the background.

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Mining leaves behind 10 to 14 million tons of leftover material called mine tailings every year worldwide. Reza Hedayat's research group at Colorado School of Mines is turning that waste into bricks, concrete, lightweight aggregate and ceramics.

Guggenheim

About Mines

Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society – all to create a more prosperous future.