Coaltech Research Association

Circular Transformation of Carbon Ore Residues to Building Components: Technical Feasibility and LCA

COALTECH Project Number: P2024-01

By University of the Witwatersrand| June 2026

R1500,00

Description

Circular Transformation of Coal Residues into Value-Added Composite Materials

The research demonstrated a viable pathway for converting coal-processing residues and other industrial waste streams into durable, value-added composite materials for potential construction applications. The work supports circular economy objectives by reducing waste disposal liabilities while creating opportunities for future pilot-scale and commercial development.

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What this report foundPractical guidance for opencast operations covers early detection with low cost thermal cameras, prevention, and the treatment methods in current use: water...

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Practical guidance for opencast operations covers early detection with low cost thermal cameras, prevention, and the treatment methods in current use: water sprays and cannons, sand cladding of highwalls and stockpiles, removal of burning coal by dragline, tipping into water ponds and the treatment of sinkhole areas. A three month full scale trial of sprayed fly ash as an antioxidant is reported.

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What this report foundWatercourses on post mined land near Kriel showed deterioration in manganese, calcium, magnesium, sodium, total dissolved salts and sulphate, while other...

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What this report found

Watercourses on post mined land near Kriel showed deterioration in manganese, calcium, magnesium, sodium, total dissolved salts and sulphate, while other parameters stayed within drinking water standards. Aquatic invertebrate communities had suffered significant losses and two sites were classified as eutrophic. The water is not fit for human consumption or recreation, and a minimum 32 m buffer from wetland boundaries is recommended after earthworks.

Coal Washability Using Coal Petrography

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Summary of postgraduate work validating washability prediction for southern African coals by image analysis and tomography, written for geologists, metallurgists and mining engineers valuing a deposit.

What this report foundA single float sink test destroys the sample and gives one deterministic answer, so it cannot show how washability changes with particle size distribution.

R1500,00

R1500,00

What this report found

A single float sink test destroys the sample and gives one deterministic answer, so it cannot show how washability changes with particle size distribution. Simulating washability from petrographic images and tomography allows many size distributions to be tested statistically from one sample. Running simulation alongside float sink work during exploration lets the prediction error of each be compared.

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