Abstract: To achieve large-volume utilization of gold tailings and develop green alternatives for road construction materials,
this study employed a solid waste-based cementitious material (SWCM),prepared from red mud,desulfurized gypsum,and
fly ash,to stabilize gold tailings for use in road subbase mixture. A comprehensive laboratory investigation was conducted to evaluate
the compaction characteristics,unconfined compressive strength,splitting tensile strength,flexural strength,compressive
resilience modulus,and drying shrinkage properties of the stabilized mixtures. A comparative analysis with conventional cementstabilized
mixtures was performed,and microstructural tests such as XRD were utilized to elucidate the underlying performance
mechanisms. The results demonstrate that the SWCM-stabilized gold tailings mixtures have a maximum dry density of 1. 968~
1. 978 g/ cm3 and an optimum water content of 11. 62%~13. 10%. The mixtures exhibit excellent early-age mechanical properties,
with a 6% binder content meeting the 7-day unconfined compressive strength requirements for subbase layers across all
road classes. The drying shrinkage behavior is stable,with a shrinkage coefficient (174. 8~196. 2 με/ %) comparable to that
of cement-stabilized macadam,and the SWCM mixture shows superior crack resistance due to the micro-expansion from ettringite
formation and the morphological effects of fly ash. Field trials and long-term monitoring confirmed the structural integrity of
the subbase without loosening or cracking,demonstrating satisfactory road performance. This research provides a viable technical
pathway for the full-volume resource utilization of gold tailings.

Key words: gold tailings,solid waste-based cementitious material,road performance,volume stability,microscopic mechanism