Abstract: A method of environmental cleanup by producing an autoclaved aerated cement building material (termed AAC) by a process that uses the available silica sand and other raw materials in mine tailings, in particular copper mine tailings from porphyry copper mines. The process minimizes the need for processed silica sand and other raw materials, normally used in the production of the AAC building material. The lightweight AAC building material produced from the mine tailings has excellent thermal insulation properties, sound absorption and other desirable construction qualities comparable to AAC building material produced using processed silica sand, i.e. from non-mine tailings raw material sources.

Abstract: A rock mass reinforcement for use in the mining, civil engineering industry or similar applications for reinforcing the rock mass in the rib and back of an excavation having a plurality of drill holes arranged in a reinforcement drill hole pattern, a continuous cable having one end initially anchored and its other end being free for sequential installation and tensioning at each drill hole of the drill hole pattern in combination with an anchor-pulley assembly for sequentially holding in slidable securement a looped end portion of the continuous cable at each drill hole of the drill hole pattern and a drill hole collar plate assembly having a drill hole collar plug and a plug insert, for sequentially locking applied tension on the continuous cable at each drill hole of the drill hole pattern. The reinforcement when installed in the rock mass results in a homogeneous reinforcement of fractures and joint oriented in multi-directional planes.