Mineral Resource Management 2023: Assessment, Mining and Processing

Mineral resources provide basic materials for the development of human society [1]. Due to excessive exploitation, high-quality mineral resources are being consumed at a rapid rate and in large quantities. It has now been recognized that the proper evaluation, exploitation, and utilization of mineral resources are closely related to the future development of mankind [2].

The current research focus in this field can be summarized in the following areas: 1. The exploration of primary mineral resources, including geological mapping methods [3], mineral resource exploration methods based on geophysics and geochemistry [4], and analysis of rock properties based on geochemistry [5]. 2. Mining engineering, including the underground transportation of the extracted mineral resources [6]. 3. Mineral flotation, including the latest advancements in various flotation reagents [7]. 4. Environmental remediation for the pollution caused by the exploitation of mineral resources, including the use of phytoremediation and remediation reagents to reduce the total amount of heavy metal pollution [8] and the bioavailability of heavy metals, respectively [9]. 5. Comprehensive utilization of secondary mineral resources, including the development and feasibility assessment of treatment technology related to mining waste [10] and urban construction waste [11]. 6. Macro-analysis of mineral resources, including resource security and related circular economy policies [12]. 7. The utilization of water resource, including rational private groundwater extraction [13].

With these research hotspots in mind, this Special Issue collates a diverse collection of studies involving mineral exploration, resource recovery, environmental remediation, waste valorization, circular economy strategy, and water resources [14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25]. Regional case studies area a focus of this Special Issue. Technological innovations and systemic assessments were reviewed and used to identify critical knowledge gaps and outline future research priorities for sustainable resource governance.

Mineral exploration benefits from advanced geophysical and radiometric methods, as illustrated in studies of alteration zones. Currently, radiometric mapping plays a prominent role in locating the host rock or alteration that leads to gold mineralization. In this Special Issue, Pongkor gold mine (a low sulfidation epithermal deposit) was selected as regional case study. The unaltered host rocks and altered host rocks were characterized by a low K&high eTh/K and a high K&low eTh/K value, respectively. In addition, gold pathfinders (Mn, Fe, Zn, As and Pb) were employed and showed a close relationship with positive or negative radioelements. This study proved that radiometric mapping is a powerful tool for the exploration of low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposits.

Egypt possesses abundant mineral resources. In one study, geophysical techniques were employed to delineate mineral resources in Wadi El-Nakheel, Eastern Desert, using magnetic data and structural analysis to map mineralization controls. In another study, the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics were investigated, and possible sources—including gold, silver, platinum group elements (PGE), copper, and lead—were also researched in the beach sands along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. These two studies champion the positive impacts of mineral exploration in Egypt.

An investigation into rare-metal and radioactive mineral alteration in Egypt’s Nugrus Shear Zone provides new insights into the hydrothermal transformation of magmatic ferrocolumbite and thorite under deformation and reducing conditions. Inside a shear zone in a specific direction, A-type leucogranite is deformed after post-collisional magmatism, and some magmatic accessories are preserved, including destabilized rare-metal-bearing minerals. Based on proposed hypothesis, ore minerals can be categorized into hydrothermal-type, magmatic-type, and supergene-type minerals. The latter are the lowest in abundance, consisting of Fe-oxyhydroxide, goethite, altered uranothorite and altered betafite.

The issue of transport in underground hard coal mines has often been underappreciated in prior research. Recent studies have shown the need to conduct economic analyses of transport systems in underground hard coal mines. In this Special Issue, one study proposed the concept that a multi-criteria cost analysis was a useful tool to rationalize the selection of optimal transportation in an underground hard coal mine. In the study, underground coal transport systems were optimized through multi-criteria analysis, providing decision-support tools for utility and costs. A theoretical solution representing the maximum attainable values across all criteria is an additional research hypothesis, though simultaneously achieving these values is impossible. In addition, a “PND” nadir point was also determined from a set of optimal points in the Pareto sense. The originality of the concept developed in this study is reflected in the following: addressing gaps in economic methodology for evaluating complex transportation systems, aligning with underground mining’s transportation system trends, and focusing on pre-investment phase cost optimization.

Innovative mineral processing techniques, such as the use of biosurfactants as eco-friendly flotation reagents, align with broader sustainability goals. Biosurfactants enhance mineral recovery while reducing environmental risks, though their industrial application remains limited by production scale and cost. In this Special Issue, a review summarizes the superiority of biosurfactants, including reduced toxicity, biodegradability and effectiveness in flotation environments. This review proposed that more biosurfactant research into long-term performance, cost optimization, and adaptability across mineralogical contexts is needed to advance their implementation.

Soil is the primary medium for nurturing crops, but heavy metal pollution in soil has now become a serious issue that cannot be ignored. Phytoremediation techniques are an effective way to reduce the total amount of heavy metal pollution in soil. However, lengthy phytoremediation processes increase the risk of heavy metals spreading to surrounding areas. Currently, combined remediation technique are especially effective. A study in this Special Issue combined stabilization (a mixture of modified fly ash, steel slag, pyrolusite, and ferrous sulfide) with phytoremediation (Bidens pilosa) for Cd-As contaminated soils, demonstrating a synergistic approach to reducing heavy metal bioavailability. This study underscores the potential of integrated remediation strategies and highlights the importance of mechanistic studies to tailor interventions for site-specific conditions and accelerate ecological recovery.

Many different types of native plants grow around tailings ponds, which influence their ecological environment and soil chemistry. In this Special Issue, one study uncovered the elemental composition of Calamagrostis epigejos and Solidago canadensis in coal waste dumps in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, where both major and trace elements were analyzed. The results revealed that cadmium and zinc significantly accumulated within the plant body, and a detailed study was conducted on the characteristics and mechanisms of phytoextraction. These findings provide critical insights for phytoremediation strategies in post-industrial landscapes, offering a scientific basis for pollution monitoring and vegetation-based reclamation of contaminated sites.

In an interesting study, the economic feasibility of processing mining waste was assessed using entropy-based models. These analyses reveal that despite high metal content, the heterogeneity and complexity of waste streams pose significant challenges for profitable recovery. Incorporating processability metrics into sustainability assessments, alongside traditional ore grades, is essential to guide the development of advanced recycling technologies and inform circular economy strategies.

Urban mining and construction waste management are pivotal to achieving circular economy objectives. A spatial analysis of construction and demolition waste (CDW) in the European Metropolis of Lille using GIS techniques reveals substantial potential for substituting virgin materials with recycled aggregates. However, municipal disparities highlight gaps in regional waste management infrastructure. Future studies should apply such spatial tools across diverse urban regions and evaluate the roles of policy instruments, including Extended Producer Responsibility, in promoting closed-loop material flows.

On a national scale, material flow analysis offers insights into the dynamics of metal demand and secondary resource availability. A study of Vietnam’s secondary copper reserves reveals the tension between rising consumption and constrained primary and secondary supplies, emphasizing the need for improved geological exploration and circular strategies. Extending such analyses to strategic metals and regions can guide resource security and circular economy policy.

Fresh groundwater is the main source of global water resources. In some countries, the private extraction of groundwater is legal, which increases risks, such as uncontrolled aquifer depletion and ecosystem disruption. As a result, despite its renewable nature, groundwater remains vulnerable to depletion. To address this issue, a robust regulatory framework could balance access with sustainable management. A study in this Special Issue addresses the multifaceted challenges of private groundwater extraction practices in institutional, financial, and legal dimensions from the perspective of the Russian Federation. Research on groundwater extraction by private users in the Russian Federation underscores the vulnerabilities of this vital resource and calls for balanced regulatory frameworks that safeguard ecosystems while accommodating legitimate private use.

In summary, this Special Issue presents a comprehensive research agenda that balances environmental stewardship, technological innovation, and economic viability in mining and processing sectors. Future research should emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating policy, socio-economic dimensions, and emerging digital technologies to build resilient, low-impact mineral resource systems. As the global economy transitions toward circularity, these insights will be vital for refining exploration methods, improving processing efficiency, and valorizing waste, ensuring sustainable resource availability for future generations.