Lignin‐Based Green Soil Stabilizer for Haul Roads in Mining Areas: Development, Performance, and Mechanism

ABSTRACT

Dust from haul roads in open‐pit mines is one of the primary pollution sources in mining areas, whereas conventional soil stabilizers have limited environmental friendliness and durability. A composite soil stabilizer is prepared with renewable lignin as the main component, combined with hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS), and alkyl polyglucoside (APG). Two haul‐road soils with different properties are used, and the optimal formulation within the investigated factor levels (2% lignin, 2.25% HEC, 0.05% SDS, and 0.09% APG) is determined by an orthogonal experimental design. The 7‐day unconfined compressive strength of stabilized soil is approximately 5–8 times that of the corresponding untreated soil and further increases with curing age. After 7 wet–dry and 5 freeze–thaw cycles, the water stability coefficient and strength retention rate of the 28‐day‐cured specimens remain above 80%. After 72 h of wind erosion, the mass retention rate remains above 95%. X‐ray diffraction results show no obvious changes in the major crystalline phase composition. Scanning electron microscopy shows that surface coverage and interparticle connections gradually increase with curing age, and the soil structure becomes more continuous and dense. These results provide experimental evidence for soil stabilization and wind erosion control on mine haul roads.