GLASSFILL - AN ENVIRONMENTAL ALTERNATIVE FOR WASTE GLASS DISPOSAL

The underground mining industry has adopted significant use of mill wa stes (backfill) for underground support which has often required the i ntroduction of consolidating agents such as Portland cement or other p ozzolanic agents (such as blast furnace slags) to achieve improved coh esive backfill strength. Normal Portland cement, the principal agent m aterial used in Canada for hydraulic fill consolidation, is currently available to mines in bulk quantities al costs as much as $150/tonne. This paper describes the potential use of a new agent material for bac kfill consolidation, ground waste glass, to be used as partial replace ment of Portland cement fractions within backfill Significant fraction s of commercial and residential silica glass production is currently u tilized as waste landfill and must be disposed of at high cost and wit h no foreseeable environmental benefit This paper also demonstrates th at waste glass materials could be effectively recycled as backfill add itives, and that a significant large and stable source of additive sup ply, currently landfilled, can be developed. This new application will generate added value for such materials, serve to promote positive en vironmental stewardship and satisfy engineering support requirements i n mines.