Cement paste is an already well-known material used in ore mining. It is mainly used to fill excavation areas and the tailings from the surface return to underground mines. In this way, the amount of deposited material and degradation of the surface of the terrain are reduced. The paste itself can be used as an artificial barrier between mining works and underground watercourses. Significant economic and environmental benefits can be expected from using cement paste, which would contribute to sustainable development. The basic materials that make up cemented paste backfill (CPB) are flotation tailings, cement, and water. For CPB to be adequately and safely applied to the filling of excavation spaces and indirectly to the protection of the groundwater, environment, and sustainable development of the mining industry, it must meet certain physical–mechanical, physicochemical, and deformation properties. This paper presents the results of synthesized and analyzed samples of different compositions based on flotation tailings (from the production of ZiJin Copper in Bor, Serbia), cement, and water. The methods used for chemical and mineralogical tests include inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs; turbidimetry). The results prepared with CPB consisting of 5% cement, 24% water, and 71% flotation tailings were the most acceptable.

Flotation tailings (FT), as a product of the exploitation and processing of copper ore, represent a significant environmental and health risk due to the high content of heavy metals and sulfide compounds. Contemporary concepts of sustainable development and circular economy increasingly emphasize the need for rational use of resources and minimization of all types of waste, including mining waste. In this context, the reuse of flotation tailings in the construction industry represents a significant step towards closing the material flow in the mining and construction sectors. In order to reduce the negative impact of FT on the environment, the possibility of its application as a substitute for a portion of cement in the production of concrete was investigated. The main challenge is to reduce the negative impact of sulfides, originating from sulfide compounds, in order to achieve the desired concrete quality. Limestone aggregates of different size fractions (0/4, 4/8, 8/16 mm) were used for sulfide neutralization. Pyrite concentrate was used as a sulfide source, which together with FT provides the mixtures FT-7, FT-14, FT-25, and FT-40, with sulfur contents of 7.56, 13.84, 25.02, and 39.82%, respectively. FT mixtures were used as a substitute for Portland cement (PC) in the preparation of concrete. Test methods included XRD (X-ray diffraction), XRF (X-ray fluorescence), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), LP (leaching procedure), TCLP (toxicity characterization leaching procedure), assessment of acid eluate generation potential (AP—acid potential, NP—neutralization potential, and NNP—net neutralization potential), NEN (determination of heavy metals in cured concrete eluate), and UCS (uniaxial compressive strength of cured concrete). The results showed that the chemical characteristics of FT, as well as the chemical and mechanical properties of hardened concrete, allow the efficient use of these tailings in concrete mixes, which significantly utilizes FT, reduces the generation of mining waste, and contributes to the reduction of the negative impact on the environment and achieving sustainable development in mining.

Significant economic and environmental advantages can be expected using cemented paste, especially in mining as a backfill for room-and-pillar excavated method. But, it is necessary to investigate the behaviour of cemented paste backfill within mine stope. In this paper will be presented results of stress-strain analysis of stope stability in room-and-pillar excavation method, before and after backfilling with cemented paste on a model developed in a plane (2D) with corresponding boundary conditions. This model was developed in order to analyze stress-strain stability of the room-and-pillar system in excavating block with included loading and drilling corridors. Model was analyzed before and after backfilling. This excavation method will be applied in "Borska Reka" mine, Bor, Serbia.

Soil stabilization represents process for improvements physical-mechanical and deformation feature of soil, adding binders. There are two basic kinds of stabilization: mechanical and chemical. Chemical stabilization of soil refers on addition binders to basic material of soil. The most common materials in chemical stabilization soil are lime and cement. In this work will to be shown the results stabilization soil with lime, for access roads on territory of the city of Bor.

This paper presents the historical development of triaxial soil testing standardization and conducts a detailed comparative analysis between European/international norms (SRPS EN ISO 17892-8 and 9) and American standards (ASTM D2850 and ASTM D4767). Through a chronological review, the paper traces the evolution of this geotechnical test, from the establishment of the theoretical foundations of effective stresses to the modern digitization of instrumentation and global harmonization of laboratory protocols. Within the comparative analysis, the key stages of conducting the triaxial test are evaluated in detail, including the control of the shearing rate, the sample saturation phase using Skempton's B-parameter, the correction for membrane elastic resistance, and the methodology for defining the point of failure. Although both groups of standards strive for the same ultimate goal, namely the reliable construction of the Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope and the determination of soil strength parameters, significant methodological differences are observed regarding sample geometry, flexibility during saturation, and the rigidity of the procedures themselves. It is concluded that the ISO methodology, due to the application of analytical mathematical formulas and clearly defined constants, proves to be significantly more practical for the development of algorithms and software for the automatic processing of raw laboratory data. This ensures the efficient generation of complete stress-strain curves, which are essential as reliable input parameters for advanced constitutive models in modern numerical modeling software packages, such as the Slide, Phase2, and Plaxis tools.

Due to mining expansion at the "Južni Revir" open-pit mine in Majdanpek, relocating the existing ore transport system is required. This paper presents comprehensive geophysical investigations along a 2,267 m projected route, including a 540 m tunnel section. A multi-method approach combined Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Vertical Electrical Sounding, Seismic Refraction, and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves. Investigations reached depths of 35 m for surface sections and 75 m above the tunnel. The integrated approach successfully mapped structural hazards and lithological characteristics, providing critical geotechnical inputs for safe infrastructural design.