Finnish materials technology company Betolar has developed a method for treating and converting waste mining material into a reinforcing binder that can be used in construction applications.

Betolar said it heat-treats the waste material generated in the bioleaching process, causing it to become a reactive substance with a binder potential. It can be made into a reinforcing binder by a simple treatment to solidify and stabilize the end-use waste material.

"Our invention relates to a method by which wastewater, sludge and dregs can be treated and utilized, for example, in a mining area. Waste materials, such as gypsum sludge can also be used in other construction applications which will be of great value to Betolar's business in the future," says Juha Leppänen, Betolar's chief innovation officer.

The company said the advantage of the patented solution is that the fractions and precipitates formed in the treatment of wastewater can be solidified simply and cost-effectively. Hardened materials can be stored in piles and holes. The use of such above-ground storage and disposal sites allows for space and cost savings. Above all, it is safer for the environment.

"The ability to produce new solutions for the utilization of sidestreams is essential to the functioning of our ecosystem. Betolar has a rapidly growing patent portfolio considering its age. We have already obtained approved patents for five inventions of ours," says Leppänen.

Last September, Finnish mining and battery chemical company Keliber signed a deal with Betolar and JA-KO Betoni to deploy Betolar's Geoprime solution to cut carbon emissions at its open pit mining and underground lithium mine in Kaustinen, Finland.

The company said the Geoprime solution will replace cement used as a binder in concrete production with blast furnace slag produced through a steel industry side stream Raahe, Finland.