CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN MATERIAL ECODESIGN: BRICK PRODUCTION FROM MINE WASTE

Abstract

The construction materials industry increasingly faces difficulties in securing high-quality raw materials for ceramic products such as bricks. In Bulgaria, natural clay resources are limited, while growing demand for building materials and the transition toward a circular economy re-quire alternative raw materials. This study examines the potential for utilizing accumulated mining waste from the Pernik coal basin as a substitute for natural clay in brick production. Laboratory analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical composition, and grain-size distribution were conducted to determine the mineralogical and technological properties of the material. The results show that the mining waste contains significant clay minerals, with kaolinite contents of up to 30% and a plasticity index of 22.3, confirming its suitability for ceramic production. A techno-ecological-economic analysis indicates that up to 60% of conventional clay raw materials can be replaced without compromising product quality. The economic evaluation demonstrates positive net present values for all analyzed production capacities. The results confirm the potential of mining waste as a secondary raw material supporting circular economy practices.