Prof. Dr. Jianhua Chen Appointed Associate Editor of Section “Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy” in Minerals

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

Prof. Dr. Jianhua Chen is currently a professor at Guangxi University, China. He has long been engaged in research on mineral crystal chemistry, interfacial structures, and the theory and application of mineral flotation. He obtained his Ph.D. in mineral processing from Central South University, and subsequently joined Guangxi University to conduct scientific research.

His primary theoretical contribution consists of applying advanced Density Functional Theory (DFT) to traditional flotation research, through investigating the microscopic structures and properties of mineral crystals and surfaces/interfaces and their impact on flotation. His work in this area has deepened our understanding of how mineral crystal structures, lattice defects, and interfacial structures influence the flotation process. Another significant theoretical contribution by Prof. Dr. Chen is his successful introduction of coordination chemistry principles into the field of mineral processing through establishing the theory of flotation coordination chemistry. This theory breaks away from the traditional paradigm focused on free metal ions. Instead, it proposes the surface metal ion confinement theory, resolving the long-standing challenge of understanding how reagent molecules interact with minerals. Prof. Dr. Chen has published 11 monographs in Chinese, English, and Russian, including Coordination Principle of Mineral Flotation and Electronic Structure and Surface of Sulfide Minerals: Density Functional Theory and Application. Overall, he has published over 400 academic papers, which have received over 6,000 citations, resulting in an h-index of 42. In 2024, he was honored as the first foreign scholar to receive the Russian Mineralogical Society Koksharov Medal.

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

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

I believe the exchange and dissemination of academic ideas and theories require efficient platforms to achieve their impact. Minerals serves as such a platform—boasting rapid publication cycles and significant influence within mineral processing—making it an ideal venue for sharing significant research findings and novel academic ideas. As Associate Editor, I aim to actively promote international exchange in fundamental research through this role, while creating more accessible publishing pathways for early-career scholars.

2. What is your vision for the journal?

My short-term goal is to advance Minerals into an influential platform for academic exchange on mineral processing theory and practice, establishing it as the premier journal where researchers publish and access cutting-edge developments in the field. Long-term, I envision that through Minerals, we will foster interdisciplinary convergence and deep integration among mineralogy, environmental science, mineral processing, advanced mineral materials, and artificial intelligence—ultimately building a knowledge ecosystem capable of addressing global challenges in mineral resource sustainability.

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

I foresee that “environmental sustainability” and “AI-driven transformation” will emerge as the core evolutionary trends in this field. Mounting environmental pressures are creating an imperative demand for green, non-toxic technologies, while artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape traditional research paradigms—shifting the focus from phenomenon interpretation toward precision prediction. Realizing this dual-pronged transformation will hinge on interdisciplinary collaborative synergy.

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

The open access (OA) model demolishes traditional publishing paywalls, enabling global barrier-free access to scholarly outputs. This significantly amplifies article downloads, citation rates, and social media dissemination, effectively bridging the knowledge access gap. Yet, while dismantling information barriers, we must remain vigilant about publishing costs potentially exacerbating academic inequality. An ideal OA framework should transcend mere economic operations and pioneer multi-stakeholder sustainability mechanisms. As an editor, I will steadfastly adhere to academic quality as the paramount criterion—ensuring rigorous peer review to maintain high scholarly standards without compromising openness.

We wish Prof. Dr. Jianhua Chen every success in his new position, and we look forward to his contributions to the journal.