Estudo do rejeito da lavra de rochas ornamentais do Espírito Santo para a produção de brita

Abstract

Brazil is a major producer of ornamental stones on the world stage. The State of Espírito Santo (ES) has become a world reference in marble and granite, and stand out as the absolute leader in the national production of rocks by the Brazilian industrial park investment in the ornamental stones sector with more than 600 active mines (quarries) of granite, producing up to 500 types diversified of this product. This huge production generates a considerable amount of waste (rock blocks) that are deposited in piles, becoming an environmental liability. These wastes are generated at the opening of the quarry, and especially during the development of the benches due to the disposal of blocks considered outside of market specifications or blocks with defects such as the presence of fractures and cracks, both of the tectonic origin ones, as the ones resulting from the critical phases of mining operations, as well as in handling of explosives, tipping of the panels, handling of blocks and mainly due to the relief of the internal stresses of the rocks. The objective of this research is to characterize the coarse wastes from the mining of ornamental stones, seeking an application in construction. The methodology used was a case study, featuring two wastes for two companies located in the northwest of the State of Espírito Santo. For this characterization was used some geological characterization techniques such as microscopic description, X-ray fluorescence, and aggregate characterization tests, such as crushing, screening, and Los Angeles Abrasion uniaxial compression. It should be noted that the sieving and uniaxial compression results were satisfactory. We conclude therefore, that the tailings characterized fit partially in the marketing specifications, thus leaving a basis for future applications in industry.