PROSPECTS FOR UTILIZATION OF LIMESTONE-SHELL ROCK MINING WASTE THROUGH RECYCLING INTO NEW CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Abstract

The production of construction materials, particularly the extraction of limestone-shell rock, is of great importance for the construction industry due to the growing demand for environmentally friendly and durable materials. Limestone, composed mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), is widely used in the manufacture of facing and wall blocks owing to its favorable physical and mechanical properties. However, limestone mining is associated with significant environmental risks, including alteration of natural landscapes, air and soil pollution, ecosystem degradation, and the generation of large volumes of waste.

This paper examines the potential for recycling limestone waste and its application in the construction sector as a means of improving environmental conditions. Experimental studies of structural materials produced from carbonate rock waste with the addition of organic fillers have demonstrated the feasibility of their wide-scale use. The implementation of such technologies can reduce construction costs and decrease environmental pressure in limestone mining areas.