Manganese tailings: Useful properties suggest a potential for gas absorbent and ceramic materials

The proper disposal of material left over from marine ore processing poses a serious environmental problem. Areas in which these minerals are found ha ve limited landfill capacity, and disposal at sea is considered to be damag ing to the marine environment. Recycling failings would help to solve this disposal problem and add to the economic benefits from marine mining operat ions. To this end, tailings typical of Mn-ores have been characterized, gas adsorption measured, and a series of manganese borosilicate glasses and gl azes have been developed from these materials. Over 300 different glasses a nd glazes have been successfully formed from melts in the temeprature range of 1,100-1,300 degrees C.