Utilizing sugar beet molasses for stabilization and dust suppression of mine haul road soil: A case study of Abyek Cement Mine

Abstract

Introduction: Haul roads are one of the main sources of dust in mines. Dust pollution not only causes lung diseases, but also reduces the useful vision of machine drivers, slows down trucks, and interferes with transportation operations. On the other hand, machines' operation in dust increases their depreciation and fuel consumption. The popular spraying method is used in mines to overcome this problem. To suppress dust on mining roads, water and oil mulch are commonly used. The first method requires a large amount of water, and the second method has undesirable environmental effects. Therefore, an appropriate alternative method should be found. According to the results, the proposed method may be effective in dust suppression. This  process causes both environmental and operational difficulties, includinghigh water consumption, inefficiency in hot and dry areas, and costly water supply in many regions, not to mention its cultural value, soil liquefaction,
traffic by the irrigation process, imposing repairing and maintaining costs for sprinklers and ramps, etc.
Materials and methods: Soil stabilization is a technique that enhances the engineering and mechanical characteristics of soil, such as its strength, stiffness, formation, and loading capacity using technology and proper materials. The present research aimed at finding out how the physical and strength properties could be improved with the addition of optimum ratios of sugar beet molasses to the ramp soils to make the unpaved roads within the Abyek cement mine region stronger and more durable.
Results: As analytical tests for soils containing additives with specified weight percentages, Atterberg limits, compaction, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), and direct shear tests were conducted. The incorporation of sugar beet molasses into both soils resulted in an 11.6% reduction in Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) and increased the Maximum Dry Density (MDD) to 1.955 g/cm³ for AB01 soil and 1.942 g/cm³ for AB02 soil.
Conclusion: The optimal result was obtained from direct shear and unconfined compressive tests by adding 2% molasses for AB02 soil and 1% molasses for AB01 soil.