Chemically activated binder materials are certainly an emerging technology for the (re)utilization of industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag. However, researchers’ have recognised the need to expand the range of precursor materials to include many of the other emerging and non-conventional waste materials, as it is being developed within REMINE project regarding tungsten and coal mining waste. Successful novel blends of precursor materials including tungsten mining waste have been found out in REMINE. It includes its combination with waste glass and metakaolin. Tungsten mining waste (TMW) has accumulated in the billions of tonnes in the mines of Western Europe, which is problematic because reuse options for this material are limited. TMW is inherently an aluminosilicate and therefore possesses the capacity to be used as a suitable raw material to produce alkali activated binders (AAB) that exhibit high strength, rapid setting, good durability and high resistance to chemical attack. According to the ongoing research studies, thermal energy storing macro-encapsulated aggregates were for the first time successfully incorporated into an alkali-activated binder, creating a novel composite material, opening a wide selection of applications for its inclusion e.g. surface cooling systems, construction materials such as wallboards and ceiling tiles, roads and pavements. Besides, waste-based alkali activated precasted panels (with various properties) is another promising industrial application for the future of tungsten mining waste mud recycling using this processing technology. It was also found out it is feasible to produce foamed light weight alkali-activated materials (foamed LWAAM) using Panasqueira waste mud and other precursor materials, as well incorporating expanded granulated cork. Foamed LWAAM can be used in several applications where low density and fire resistance is required. Based on the initial results obtained, the use of Panasqueira mine waste aggregates and fillers in the production of materials for the construction of transportation infrastructures is technically feasible. As well, artificial aggregates for infrastructures (AAI) through alkali-activation of tungsten mining waste mud combined with other industrial waste is a viable technical solution to compete with crushed natural stone. It can lead to the industrial manufacturing of eco-friendly aggregates to produce most of the road paving materials. Panasqueira mud and coarse waste can also be introduced in insulate castables. Since the behaviour of the castables is like the reference materials it can be reused, without any treatment, in refractory materials for several industrial applications. Furthermore, the combination of ceramic materials with cork will result in novel materials for novel architectural and historical heritage applications. Such products can exhibit a high heat-inhibiting capacity, high water-inhibiting capacity together with enhance texture, brightness and colour. Thus, this novel form of recycling mining/industrial waste by alkali activation will certainly cause positive economic and social impacts on the local communities as well as on the perspective of other mining activities in Europe. However, there is still a strong gap between fundamental research on alkali activated materials and their industrial applications. Conducting more applied research and pilot tests could significantly reduce the waste generation and will increase its recycling potential.
