Advancing the Mineral Deposits Section for a New Era of Mineral Resources Research

The field of mineral deposits research is undergoing a period of profound transformation. The accelerating global demand for critical raw materials, the rapid advance of analytical and computational technologies, and the growing emphasis on responsible resource development have reshaped both the scientific questions we ask and the approaches we use to answer them. Against this backdrop, the Mineral Deposits Section of Minerals has revised its Aims and Scope to better reflect the evolving priorities, challenges, and opportunities that define contemporary mineral deposit science. It is with great enthusiasm that I assume the role of Section Editor-in-Chief of the Mineral Deposits Section. I am honoured to build upon the strong foundation established by my predecessors and the many authors, reviewers, and editors who have contributed to the success of this section. At the same time, periods of transition provide an opportunity to evaluate how a scientific field has evolved and to ensure that a journal’s scope accurately reflects both current research directions and future developments.

A journal’s scope should not serve as a constraint on scientific discovery. Rather, it should represent the breadth of scientific research being conducted by the community it serves. Over recent years, mineral deposit research has expanded well beyond traditional studies of ore genesis and mineral exploration. Modern investigations progressively integrate mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, isotopic tracers, mineral physics, remote sensing, machine learning, big-data analytics, and advanced analytical techniques to address complex questions related to mineral systems and resource development. The revised scope of the Mineral Deposits Section recognises this evolution and provides a more comprehensive framework for the research that is shaping our discipline today. While maintaining its strong foundation in economic geology, metallogeny, ore-forming processes, and mineral exploration, the updated section now explicitly embraces emerging and rapidly developing areas of research. Particular emphasis is placed on studies addressing critical and strategic minerals, including rare earth elements, battery metals, platinum-group elements, and other resources essential for the global energy transition and technological innovation. As governments and industries worldwide seek secure and sustainable supply chains for critical raw materials, the scientific understanding of these mineral systems has become even more important.

The revised scope also reflects the growing interdisciplinarity of mineral deposits research. The application of machine learning, artificial intelligence, geographic information systems, remote sensing technologies, and advanced geospatial analytics is transforming how mineral resources are identified, evaluated, and managed. Similarly, developments in geochronology, isotope geochemistry, and microanalytical techniques continue to generate new insights into the timing, evolution, and complexities of mineralising systems. By explicitly recognising these areas, the section seeks to provide a platform for innovative research that bridges traditional geological approaches with emerging technologies.

Equally important is the emerging recognition that mineral deposits cannot be studied solely from the perspective of resource discovery. Environmental stewardship, sustainable resource development, secondary resource utilisation, mine waste valorisation, and circular economy approaches now form integral components of modern mineral resources research. The revised scope reflects this broader perspective, encouraging contributions that address the responsible development and management of mineral resources while maintaining scientific excellence and geological rigour.

The updated scope further welcomes research across the full spectrum of mineral systems, including magmatic, hydrothermal, metamorphic, sedimentary, surficial, and unconventional mineral resources. Contributions may range from fundamental studies of mineralising processes and deposit genesis to applied investigations supporting exploration, resource evaluation, geometallurgy, and mineral resource management. The common thread among these diverse topics is the pursuit of a deeper understanding of the processes that concentrate Earth materials into economically significant resources and the methods by which these resources can be responsibly developed.

Beyond original research articles, the Mineral Deposits Section actively encourages high-quality review papers, perspectives, methodological advances, data-driven studies, and synthesis contributions that identify emerging trends, challenge existing paradigms, and establish future research directions. As scientific disciplines mature, and increasingly large datasets become available worldwide, synthesis and integration become even more important, particularly in a field as multidisciplinary as mineral deposits research. These revisions should not be viewed as a change in the identity of the Mineral Deposits Section. Rather, they represent an evolution that aligns the section with the current state of the discipline and positions it for future developments. The core mission remains unchanged—that is to publish rigorous, innovative, and impactful research that advances our understanding of mineral resources and mineral systems. What has changed is the breadth of scientific approaches, technological capabilities, and societal challenges that now shape the field.

As Section Editor-in-Chief, my goal is to further strengthen the section as an internationally recognised forum for high-quality mineral deposits research. I hope the revised Aims and Scope provide greater clarity to prospective authors, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and attract contributions from both established and emerging areas of the discipline. Most importantly, I hope they reflect the highly dynamic and globally relevant role of mineral deposits research in addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges related to resource security, sustainable development, and the transition to a low-carbon future. The science of mineral deposits has never been more important. As our understanding of mineral systems continues to evolve and as new challenges emerge, the Mineral Deposits Section of Minerals will continue to evolve alongside the scientific community it serves. This ongoing development is both desirable and essential for maintaining the relevance, impact, and scientific leadership of our field.