Prof. Dr. Stanisław Mazur Appointed Associate Editor of Section “Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications” in Minerals

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Stanisław Mazur has been appointed Associate Editor of the “Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications” Section of Minerals (ISSN: 2075-163X) as of March 2025.

Prof. Dr. Stanisław Mazur is a professor at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences, currently serving as director. His main research interests are tectonics, structural geology, basin analysis, and applied geophysics. He obtained his Ph.D. in structural geology from the University of Wrocław, followed by training in structural geology at University College Dublin (1994) and a postdoctoral fellowship at GeoforschungsZentrum Potsdam (2003-2004). Before joining the Institute of Geological Sciences, he worked for 11 years in British geophysical consulting companies (Getech, ARKeX), where he was responsible for the technical supervision of multi-client projects. He was also a visiting research fellow at the University of Leeds from 2008 to 2011 and from 2014 to 2020. He has been a participant in scientific expeditions to Greenland, Spitsbergen, British Columbia, and Northern Labrador. In 2013, he received the Jules Braunstein Memorial Award for the best poster at the AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, 2012, Long Beach, California, USA. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union, the European Geosciences Union, and the Polish Geological Society. Since 2018, he has led the Depositional Systems Research Group (DEPOS) in the Research Centre in Kraków. Stanisław Mazur is the author of approximately 100 research papers that have received over 2,500 independent citations (Web of Science) and have achieved a Hirsch index of 32. Since January 2020, he has been a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Stanisław Mazur, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views of the research area and open access publishing:

1. What inspired you to take on the role of Associate Editor for this journal?

I was motivated to take on this role because of my deep interest in advancing research in the field of mineral exploration and Earth sciences. Minerals has established itself as a reputable journal that fosters high-quality, open access research, and I see this as an excellent opportunity to contribute to its growth. Additionally, I am passionate about ensuring rigorous peer review and facilitating the dissemination of cutting-edge studies that shape our understanding of mineral ores, their formation, and exploration strategies.

2. What is your vision for the journal?

My vision for Minerals is to further enhance its reputation as a leading platform for innovative research in mineralogy, geochemistry, and exploration geophysics. I aim to encourage interdisciplinary studies that bridge fundamental science with applied research, including mineral resources and exploration methods. Additionally, I hope to expand the journal’s reach by attracting high-quality contributions from diverse global research communities while maintaining the highest editorial and ethical standards.

3. How do you see the future of this research field evolving?

The field of mineralogy and mineral exploration is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and the increasing demand for critical minerals. In the coming years, I anticipate significant progress in areas such as the following:

1. The role of minerals in sustainable energy solutions, including battery materials and carbon capture;
2. Advances in analytical techniques, such as high-resolution geophysical imaging and geochemical modeling, which will refine our understanding of mineral formation and transformation;
3. Increased integration of machine learning and big data approaches in mineral exploration and characterization;
4. A stronger focus on environmental and ethical aspects of mineral resource utilization.

These developments will not only advance fundamental scientific knowledge but also address global challenges related to resource sustainability and climate change.

4. What are your thoughts on the development of open access in academic publishing?

Open access (OA) has transformed academic publishing by making research more accessible and increasing its impact. It promotes transparency, collaboration, and the rapid dissemination of knowledge, which is particularly crucial in fields like mineralogy and mineral exploration, where interdisciplinary insights drive innovation. However, challenges remain, including the sustainability of OA funding models and concerns about predatory publishing. Moving forward, I believe that a balance must be struck between affordability, quality control, and broad accessibility, ensuring that OA continues to benefit both researchers and the wider scientific community.

We wish Prof. Dr. Stanisław Mazur every success in this position, and we look forward to his contributions to the journal.