Abstract Um-Gir and El-Atshan-II areas represent important structurally-controlled radioactive anomalies and have become promising areas for U exploration. The bostonite rocks represent the most promising rock unit in the two stu died areas. They form the most promising rocks due to their high radioactiv ity and, hence uranium mineralization. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements was carried out for Um-Gir and El-Atshan-II bostonite rocks. The AMS results show that the mean magnitude of magnetic suscepti bilities is low, of the order of 10−5 S.I. units. Consequently, the bostonite rocks of the two areas are considered as non-magnetic, reflecting the presence of hematite as the main ferromagnetic mineral. These results are in agreement with the measurements of initial remnant magnetization (NRM) and the re sults of isothermal remnant magnetization (IRM) for the two areas. Besides, the results of magnetic anisotropy degree (PJ), refer to and concluded that the magnetic fabric of bostonite of two the areas has secondary fabric. AMS re sults clearly show the differences between the bostonite dyke of Um-Gir and Bostonite sill of El Atshan-II. The lineation (P1) > foliation (P3), and the neg ative values of the ellipsoid shape (T) of Um-Gir bostonite reflect clearly magnetic lineation (prolate ellipsoid). However, in El Atshan-II, (P3 > P1), the values of T are positive, which indicate the predominance of magnetic folia tion (oblate ellipsoid) over lineation. Furthermore, the foliation planes of the bostonite dyke of Um-Gir possess a shallow to moderate inclination and a nearly N-S direction, while, the foliation planes of the bostonite sill of El-Atshan-II show a shallow to moderate inclination and a NNE direction. Finally, the AMS method is a powerful tool for detecting the structures that affect the bostonite rocks of the two studied areas.

Abstract Coal fly ash is considered an industrial by-product derived from coal combustion in thermal power plant. It is one of the most complex anthropogenic materials. Its improper disposal has become an environmental concern and resulted in a waste of recoverable resources. The aim of this paper is to study the physico-chemical characteristics of binders based on coal fly ash and lime in order to develop an eco-cement. The various characterization tests carried out are X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, compressive strengths, thermophysical properties and setting time. X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction were used to determine the chemical composition and phases of fly ash, lime and binders. This allowed us to see that the chemical composition of fly ash is similar to that of cement. Compressive strengths of mortars containing 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of fly ash have shown that fly ash has a long-term positive effect which might be related to a pozzolanic activity. The L3 binder consisting of 60% of coal fly ash and 40% lime has a higher compressive strength than the others. The binder setting start time is greater than that of cement but shorter than that of lime. The study of the thermophysical properties of the L3binder shows that it has a higher thermal resistance than cement mortar. Moreover, it heats up less quickly because of its low effusivity compared to that of the latter. This analysis highlighted the principal characteristics that must be taken into account to use coal fly correctly in lime-based materials.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the synthesis of iron oxide pigments from IOT. The sample of IOT was obtained through mining activity of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The procedure was carried out by hot acid leaching with hydrochloric acid (HCl) which allowed the recovery of about 95% of the iron in a liquor. The iron-based pigments—red (IBP_R), black (IBP_B), and yellow (IBP_Y)—were synthetised from the liquor by selective precipitation, crystallisation, and thermal procedures. The pigments were characterised by particle size distribution, mineral and chemical compositions, as well as colourimetric properties. The process of synthesis was successful and the procedure was shown to maximise the utilisation of mineral resources and minimise the environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with IOT disposal.