en.Wedoany.com Reported - Australia's Zeotech (ASX:ZEO) has confirmed through independent test results that its AusPozz™ metakaolin product can replace 20% of cement in underground mining paste backfill applications, maintaining operational performance while reducing total binder consumption.
The study, conducted by Sustainable Future by Design, primarily evaluated the performance of AusPozz™ as a supplementary cementitious material in cemented paste backfill. A major global underground mining operator independently replicated the test results at its operational site.
Test data showed that all plug mixtures incorporating AusPozz™ achieved the early strength requirement of 100 kilopascals within 24 to 30 hours, supporting continuous backfill operations. Plug mixtures are a critical component of underground mining, providing structural support and enhancing safety and mining cycle efficiency.
Compared to standard cement formulations, the main mixtures incorporating AusPozz™ nearly doubled compressive strength at 7 and 28 days. The product delivered comparable or higher strength results even when total binder consumption was reduced by 10% to 20%.
CEO James Marsh stated that these results confirm AusPozz™ can deliver immediate operational value in underground mining, particularly in cemented paste backfill, where cost, performance, and reliability are key considerations. He also noted that reducing cement usage while maintaining early strength and enhancing long-term performance provides a clear pathway for cost and sustainability benefits. Combined with proven improvements in flowability and pumpability, the solution is highly attractive to the underground mining industry. This work supports the potential of blended cement products incorporating AusPozz™ as a practical, scalable solution for one of Australia's largest users of cementitious materials.
Tests also showed that incorporating AusPozz™ increased slump flow and improved workability, with no signs of segregation or instability. Zeotech described this enhanced pumpability as a critical performance requirement for underground mining operations.
Cemented paste backfill involves placing a cemented slurry composed of tailings, water, and cementitious binders to provide ground support and control dilution. The binder system can account for up to 75% of cemented paste backfill costs, while backfill operations can represent up to 20% of total underground operating costs. Lifecycle assessments indicate that optimized mixtures can reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 25% to 40% per cubic meter, depending on binder optimization and transportation assumptions.
AusPozz™ has also demonstrated performance and cost advantages in fiber-reinforced concrete and cable bolt grouting applications. In fiber-reinforced concrete, replacing 20% of general-purpose cement with AusPozz™ can reduce total binder content by 10% and decrease accelerator demand by at least 50%.
Zeotech will continue collaborating with industry participants to drive the commercial adoption of AusPozz™ in underground mining applications. The company plans to attend the Noosa Mining Investor Conference, held July 22-24 at Peppers Noosa Resort in Noosa Heads, Queensland. Mining.com.au is the official media partner for this year's conference.
