Australian researchers make durable concrete from lithium mining waste

Australian researchers at Flinders University, led by civil engineering lecturer Aliakbar Gholampour, have developed a sustainable and durable concrete by using delithiated β-spodumene (DβS), a waste by-product from lithium refining, as an additive in geopolymer concrete. This innovation addresses environmental concerns by repurposing lithium mining waste, which is typically discarded in landfills, and offers a promising alternative to fly ash, another industrial by-product commonly used in geopolymer production. The team found that incorporating DβS enhances the compressive strength and long-term durability of geopolymer concrete, with an optimal alkaline activator ratio identified for its use. Geopolymer concrete is considered a cleaner substitute for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), which is widely used but responsible for significant resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions globally. With lithium refining expected to increase due to rising battery demand, repurposing DβS not only reduces industrial waste but also mitigates potential soil and groundwater