Special Issues

Minerals publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Slag Valorization for Advanced Metal Production, 2nd Edition
edited by and Timothy C. Eisele
submission deadline 15 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2187
Keywords: slag; slag valorization; energy from slags; metal recycling; slag aggregates
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Understanding Geological Processes through Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Analysis
edited by
submission deadline 25 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 8602 | Submission Open
Keywords: process; petrology; mineralogy; laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy; petrogenesis; geochemistry
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
High-Pressure and High-Temperature Mineral Physics
edited by and Li Zhang
submission deadline 25 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2145 | Submission Open
Keywords: deep Earth; phase transitions; synchrotron X-ray; neutron diffraction; first-principle calculations; elemental enrichment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
Distribution and Development of Faults and Fractures in Shales
edited by Lei Gong, Guoping Liu, , Shaoqun Dong and Zhonghu Wu
submission deadline 26 Sep 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 8209 | Submission Open
Keywords: preservation and enrichment of shale oil and gas; multi-scale fracture/fault identification technique; characterization and comprehensive evaluation of effective fractures; fracture formation mechanism; filling sequence; and chronology; structural diagenesis; reservoir geomechanics; fault sealing and stability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
From Clay Minerals to Ceramics: Progress and Challenges submission deadline 26 Sep 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 5108 | Submission Open
Keywords: clay minerals; thermal properties; supplementary cementitious materials; calcined clays; technological behavior; glass ceramics; recycling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Recent Developments in the Technology and Equipment for Coal Beneficiation
edited by Zhijun Zhang, , Guichuan Ye and
submission deadline 26 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 575 | Submission Open
Keywords: coal beneficiation; coal preparation; flotation; gravity separation; classification; dewatering
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Mineral Prospectivity Mapping (MPM) Using Multi-Source Datasets, Geo-Statistical Algorithms and Machine Learning Techniques submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 14710 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral propectivity mapping (MPM); ore mineral exploration; remote sensing; multi-dimensional data fusion; machine learning techniques; knowledge-driven models; data-driven models; geophysical exploration; geochemical exploration; geographic information system (GIS) modeling; supervised and unsupervised algorithms; geo-statistical algorithms; deep learning techniques; novel hybrid methods
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Green and Efficient Recovery/Extraction of Rare Earth Resources
edited by and Yongqiang Yang
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 9 articles | Viewed by 14393 | Submission Open
Keywords: rare earth elements; recovery; extraction; mining
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Interfacial Chemistry of Critical Mineral Flotation
edited by Jianyong He, , Fanfan Zhang and Shaohang Cao
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 8 articles | Viewed by 10952 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral surface chemistry; fine particle flotation; critical mineral; molecular design; surface hydration; surface hydroxylation; metal ion-activated flotation; structure and performance; first-principles calculations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Genesis and Evolution of Pb-Zn-Ag Polymetallic Deposits: 2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 6614 | Submission Open
Keywords: ore mineralogy; mineral geochemistry; geochronology; S– Pb– Zn– Cu isotopes; fluid evolution; element occurrence in sulfide; metal precipitation mechanism; element remobilization; ore-controlling structure; tectonic setting
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Geophysical Signatures of Mineral Deposits in Tropical and Subtropical Settings
edited by and Marcelo Henrique Leão-Santos
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 6395 | Submission Open
Keywords: geophysical prospecting; mineral exploration; secondary mineral deposits; oxidized mineral deposits
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Smart Exploration of Critical Minerals: Integrating Multi-Source Data for Enhanced Mineral Prospectivity Mapping
edited by Amirabbas Karbalaeiramezanali and Jeff Harris
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5930 | Submission Open
Keywords: critical minerals; artificial intelligence (AI); machine learning (ML); mineral exploration; mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM); geophysical data; geochemical data; remote sensing; knowledge-driven approaches; data-driven approaches
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Hydrometallurgical Treatments of Copper Ores, By-Products and Waste submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 5415 | Submission Open
Keywords: leaching; hydrometallurgy; copper sulfide ore; copper oxidized ore; dissolution; solvent extraction
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Alkali Activation of Clay-Based Materials
edited by , Lea Žibret and Sara Tominc
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5274 | Submission Open
Keywords: alkali activation; clay; metakaolin; waste and raw materials; building industry sector; rammed earth construction; geotechnical embankments; sustainability; impact on environment life-cycle assessment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Coal Fly Ash as a Resource: Advances in Characterization, Utilization and Sustainable Solutions submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2938 | Submission Open
Keywords: coal fly ash; characterization; utilization; valorization; aluminosilicate
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Organo-Clays: Preparation, Characterization and Applications submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2697 | Submission Open
Keywords: organo-clays; the preparation of organo-clays; the characterization of organo-clays; the uses of organo-clays; organo-bentonite; organo-kaolin
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Innovations in Hydrometallurgy: Traditional and Emerging Approaches for Sustainable Metal Recovery
edited by , and Thandazile Moyo
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2518 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrometallurgy; sustainable extraction; circular economy; urban mining; environmental impact; innovative techniques; traditional approaches; resource efficiency; resource recovery
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Advances in the Petrography of Natural Fine-Grained Materials: A Microscale Answer to Their Genetic Pathways and Applications
edited by and Emilia García Romero
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2418 | Submission Open
Keywords: clay and clay minerals; petrography; electron microscopy; texture and microfabric; properties; genesis; paleoenvironment; applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Global and Regional Tectonics: Insights from Sedimentary Records and Geochemistry, 2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1740 | Submission Open
Keywords: tectonics; sedimentary rocks and minerals; sedimentary geochemistry and isotopes; paleogeography
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Trans-Crustal Evolution of Magmas: Clues from Thermodynamic and Geochemical Modelling, Thermo-Barometry and Experimental Petrology
edited by Simone Costa and Alberto Caracciolo
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1643 | Submission Open
Keywords: magma evolution; thermo-barometry; thermodynamic modelling; geochemical modelling; igneous and experimental petrology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Desorption and/or Reuse of Collectors in Mineral Flotation
edited by Jianjun Wang, , and Hao Zhang
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1527 | Submission Open
Keywords: flotation; collector; desorption; reuse; wastewater treatment; solid– liquid separation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Development in Alkali-Activated Materials and Applications
edited by Emile Mukiza and
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 560 | Submission Open
Keywords: geopolymeric cements; eco-efficient concrete; sustainable materials; green cements; durability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Tectonic Evolution of Subduction Processes
edited by and Thomas Leydier
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 503 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral chemistry; geochronology; HP-LT metamorphism; geothermometers; geobarometers; and thermodynamic modeling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
The Genetic Link Between Kimberlite and Continental Flood Basalt: Petrology, Geochemistry and Geochronology
edited by Jing Sun, Huapeng Niu and
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 191 | Submission Open
Keywords: kimberlite; continental flood basalt; mantle plume; xenoliths
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Critical Minerals and Associated Elements in Mine Effluent and Treatment Residuals: Management Strategies and Technologies for Resource Recovery
edited by Mengling Stuckman, Charles A. Cravotta and Chin-Min Cheng
submission deadline 10 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2483 | Submission Open
Keywords: mine drainage; tailing leachate; environmentally responsible; (bio)geochemical interactions and models; rare earth elements; lithium; transition metals; socio-economic assessment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Mineral Processing and Recycling Technologies for Sustainable Future
edited by Zoran Štirbanović, , and Zhitao Feng
submission deadline 15 Oct 2025 | 7 articles | Viewed by 5652 | Submission Open
Keywords: advances in mineral processing; recycling of waste materials for sustainable future; critical minerals utilization from waste and natural resources; innovative solutions in mineral and recycling industry; decarbonization and green technologies; energy transition for climate change reduction
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Mineralogical and Geochemical Insights into Cultural Heritage Materials
edited by Nuno Leal, Amélia Dionísio and
submission deadline 15 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1328 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage; mineralogy; geochemistry; degradation; conservation; materials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits
edited by Huimin Su, Yang Gao and
submission deadline 17 Oct 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 3480 | Submission Open
Keywords: rare metal mineral deposits; enrichment mechanism; geochemistry; geochronology; mineralization processes; resource exploration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Geochronological, Petrological and Geochemical Studies of Basaltic Rocks from Oceanic Crust
edited by and Xijun Liu
submission deadline 24 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 163 | Submission Open
Keywords: petrogenesis; magmatic processes; basalt; mantle source; subduction zone; mid-oceanic ridge; intraplate setting
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Advancements in Mineral Resource Characterization Using Machine Learning submission deadline 28 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5993 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral resource characterization; machine learning in geology; geospatial data analysis; deep learning in mining; supervised learning; unsupervised learning; geological and geometallurgical modeling; data mining in mining; neural networks for resource estimation; predictive modeling in mining; mineral exploration; feature selection for geological data; automated resource estimation; remote sensing and machine learning; ensemble methods in mining; mining data analytics; optimization in resource estimation; AI in mineral resource assessment; geospatial modeling in mining; mineral deposit modeling; geometallurgical data analysis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Gems Under the Microscope: New Insights into Mineral Structures and Properties
edited by , Zhengyu Zhou and Yuzhi Zhang
submission deadline 30 Oct 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 3490 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral structures and microstructure of gemstones; mineral properties of gemstones; nano-inclusions in gemstones; geochemistry characterization; geological process; mineralogical and gemological research in ancient geomaterials; multi-mineral aggregate jade
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
Ore Deposits Related to Metamorphism submission deadline 30 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1948 | Submission Open
Keywords: metamorphism; metasomatism; geochemistry (isotopes and trace elements); geochronology; metamorphic ore minerals; mineralogy and petrography
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Rheological, Mechanical and Hydration Properties of Cemented Paste Backfill
edited by Baoxu Yan, and
submission deadline 30 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1354 | Submission Open
Keywords: cemented paste backfill; tailings recycling; rheology; hydration kinetics; sustainability; numerical modelling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Natural and Induced Diagenesis in Clastic Rock
edited by Meiyan Fu, Jon Gluyas and Dong Wu
submission deadline 30 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1146 | Submission Open
Keywords: diagenetic fluid; multi-mineral phase interaction; dissolution mechanism; organic– inorganic interaction; diagenetic facies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Formation Study of Gem Deposits submission deadline 30 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 903 | Submission Open
Keywords: geological occurrences; chemical composition; mineral components; geographic features/origin; gem characterization; genesis of gems
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
New Discovery and Exploration Methods of Porphyry and Epithermal Mineral Deposits
edited by Chao Yang, and Gangyang Zhang
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 13 articles | Viewed by 20898 | Submission Open
Keywords: porphyry; epithermal; formation; geology; exploration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Application of Big Data Mining, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Geoscience, 2nd Edition
edited by Yongzhang Zhou, and
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 12 articles | Viewed by 15971 | Submission Open
Keywords: machine learning; artificial intelligence; big data mining; mineral; petrologic geology; ore deposit; mineral resources prediction; remote sensing; geochemical exploration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Role of Clay Mineralogy in Geotechnical Engineering Behavior of Clay Soils
edited by Hossam Abuel-Naga and Anasua GuhaRay
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5683 | Submission Open
Keywords: behavior of clayey soil; stabilization of clayey soil; contaminant transport; clay barrier
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Petrological, Geochemical and Geodynamic Study of Ophiolites and Modern Oceanic Lithosphere
edited by , and Francesca Claudia Rotondo
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 4322 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrothermal minerals; oceanic alteration; oceanic mineral deposits; biomineralization; mid-ocean ridge processes
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Geochronology and Geochemistry of Alkaline Rocks
edited by Shen Liu, Tao Wang and Guangying Feng
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3678 | Submission Open
Keywords: alkaline rocks; petrogenesis; geochronology; geochemistry; geodynamics; mineralization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Characterization of Geological Material at Nano- and Micro-scales
edited by Yulai Zhang, Chenhao Sun and Jianhua Zhao
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3031 | Submission Open
Keywords: porosity; permeability; texture; breakage; mechanical properties; wettability; morphology; crystallography; diagenesis; mineralogical analysis; petrology; microstructural analysis; microscopy
Deep-Time Source-to-Sink in Continental Basins
edited by Qianghu Liu, Hehe Chen, Mingxuan Tan, Hongtao Zhu and Xiaomin Zhu
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2075 | Submission Open
Keywords: deep-time source-to-sink system; catchment geomorphology; sediment routings; sediment flux; sedimentary response; detrital zircons; forward modeling; deep-time digital earth
Applications of Clay Minerals and Engineered Materials in Water and Wastewater Treatment submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 1650 | Submission Open
Keywords: clay minerals; zeolites; layered double hydroxides; cement materials; spectroscopy characteristics; materials properties; molecular simulations; water treatment; wastewater treatment; adsorption; catalysis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Electromagnetic Inversion for Deep Ore Explorations
edited by , and Yuanzhi Cheng
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 1619 | Submission Open
Keywords: electromagnetic inversion; deep ore exploration; mineral prospecting; machine learning; time-domain and frequency-domain EM methods
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Mineralization and Metallogeny of Iron Deposits
edited by Shigang Duan, Chengdong Yang and Xiuqing Yang
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 1429 | Submission Open
Keywords: iron oxide– apatite (Kiruna) deposits; iron– titanium– (vanadium) oxide deposits; iron skarn; banded iron formation; geodynamic setting of iron mineralization; metallogeny of iron deposits; exploration methods
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Recycling and Utilization of Metallurgical and Chemical Solid Waste
edited by Yaguang Wang and Wei Zhang
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1351 | Submission Open
Keywords: aluminosilicate minerals; element extraction; harmful element solidification; carbonization; mineral transformation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Unveiling the Depths: Advances in Kimberlite Research as Windows into Earth’s Evolution and Resource Potential
edited by Debora Rios
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 990 | Submission Open
Keywords: kimberlites; diamond mineralization; mineral resources; precambrian magmatism; earth evolution; space-temporal distribution
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Extraction of Valuable Elements from Salt Lake Brine
edited by Enze Li, Jie Ding and
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 884 | Submission Open
Keywords: solution chemistry of salt lake brine; separation technologies of valuable elements; interface regulation and process intensification; material flow analysis of valuable elements
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Mineral Pigments: Properties Analysis and Applications submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 676 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral pigments; characterization techniques; pigment stability; cultural heritage conservation; inorganic materials; sustainable applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
Radionuclides and Radiation Exposure in Minerals Extraction, Processing and Applications submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 548 | Submission Open
Keywords: radionuclides in ores; radiation exposure; radiation monitoring at mine sites; radioactive mining waste management; mitigation measures
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
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