India is exploring the use of iron ore tailings, a mining by product in road construction as part of efforts to promote sustainable infrastructure and reduce industrial waste. A research and development agreement has been signed between the CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AMNS) India to evaluate the feasibility of using this material in pavement layers.
Iron ore tailings are fine waste materials left after the beneficiation process used to extract usable iron from ore. India generates around 18–20 million tonnes of these tailings annually, primarily from mining operations in states such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. These materials are typically stored in large tailings dams, which can create environmental and land-use challenges.
Under the collaboration, researchers will conduct laboratory investigations, material characterization and pavement design studies to determine whether iron ore tailings can replace natural aggregates and soil used in different layers of road construction. The initiative also plans field trials to evaluate long-term durability and performance under real traffic conditions.
If successful, the technology could help convert large volumes of mining waste into a useful construction material, supporting a circular economy approach in infrastructure development. It may also reduce the demand for natural aggregates such as sand and stone while lowering the environmental footprint of road construction.
The project builds on ongoing work in sustainable road technologies, including the use of steel slag, waste plastic and other industrial by-products in pavement construction, aimed at developing more durable and environmentally responsible transport infrastructure.
