Abstract: There is disclosed a granular product suitable for use as foundry sands and obtained from asbestos tailings calcined at a temperature of from 1250.degree. to 1450.degree. C., said asbestos tailings having an MgO:SiO.sub.2 ratio greater than 1.0, the granules constituting the granular product being characterized by having a thermal expansion at 1000.degree. C. of not more than 1.0% and a particle size of between -20 to +200 mesh (Tyler), the granules being further characterized by being made up mainly of particles of enstatite bonded by gruenerite and fayalite, and substantially unreactive to basic oxides present in the cast metal.

Abstract: There is provided a sintered angular shape granular sandblasting material obtained by the calcination of asbestos tailings at a temperature of from 1300.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C., said asbestos tailings being characterized by having a MgO:SiO.sub.2 ratio lower than 1.0, the granular sandblasting material being characterized by a cold compression mechanical strength of from 10 to 160 MPa, by a granulometry of -40 to +150 mesh (Tyler), and by being substantially free of dust.