Suitability of granulated lead slag for valorization

The granulated slag resulting from the pyrometallurgical processing of lead-rich concentrates was chemically analysed quantitatively by X-ray fluorescent spectometry, microstructurally by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and microcompositionally by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX).The compositional phases were determined using the qualitative analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A leachate test was carried out in order to asses the constituents which can be leached from the slag and to determine if these are in accordance with the specific reference figures. The preliminary assessment of the acid draining of slag was carried out using the modified static ABA test by acid-base analysis. In order to determine the possibility of valorisation of slag as a construction material for embankments, road foundations, and sub-base and base layers, the granulated lead slag was analysed by determining the chemical, physico-mechanical (granulometric analysis, compaction characteristics, California bearing capacity index, permeability) and geotechnical (direct undrained, unconsolidated shearing strength) characteristics and comparing these characteristics with those of sand.