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Recent Advances in Prospecting Geology
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Recent Advances in Prospecting Geology

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 1077

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jakub Ciążela

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Research Centre in Wrocław, ul. Podwale 75, 50-449 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: geology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Prospecting geology focuses on identifying and evaluating mineral and resource deposits, playing a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of Earth’s and planetary materials. Recent scientific and technological progress has revolutionized methods used in resource exploration, integrating various disciplines and approaches.

Traditional geological techniques are now frequently combined with innovations such as remote sensing, geophysical surveying, geochemical analysis, and machine learning. These advancements, particularly incorporating deep learning, have significantly enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of resource prospecting, enabling a more precise identification and characterization of ore deposits and other resources

Beyond terrestrial resources, prospecting geology is increasingly applied to exploring marine resources, such as polymetallic nodules, seafloor massive sulfides, and gas hydrates. Advances in underwater geophysical methods, geochemical sensors, and robotic exploration systems have opened up new opportunities for studying and utilizing these vast reserves.

Additionally, prospecting geology is extending its scope into space resource exploration. Instruments and methodologies are being developed to identify and characterize resources on Mars, the Moon, and asteroids, paving the way for exciting new frontiers in resource exploration.

This Special Issue, titled “Recent Advances in Prospecting Geology”, welcomes submissions focused on resource prospecting using geological, geochemical, geophysical, and remote sensing methods. Contributions from a wide range of fields, including economic geology, mineralogy, marine geology, planetary sciences, and engineering, are sought.

Dr. Jakub Ciazela
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ore deposits
  • remote sensing
  • geophysics
  • geochemistry
  • marine geology
  • machine learning
  • planetary geology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 23351 KB  
Article
Integrated Geomechanical Modeling of Multiscale Fracture Networks in the Longmaxi Shale Reservoir, Northern Luzhou Region, Sichuan Basin
by Guoyou Fu, Qun Zhao, Guiwen Wang, Caineng Zou and Qiqiang Ren
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9528; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179528 - 29 Aug 2025
Viewed by 469
Abstract
This study presents an integrated geomechanical modeling framework for predicting multi-scale fracture networks and their activity in the Longmaxi Formation shale reservoir, northern Luzhou region, southeastern Sichuan Basin—an area shaped by complex, multi-phase tectonic deformation that poses significant challenges for resource prospecting. The [...] Read more.
This study presents an integrated geomechanical modeling framework for predicting multi-scale fracture networks and their activity in the Longmaxi Formation shale reservoir, northern Luzhou region, southeastern Sichuan Basin—an area shaped by complex, multi-phase tectonic deformation that poses significant challenges for resource prospecting. The workflow begins with quantitative characterization of key mechanical parameters, including uniaxial compressive strength, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and tensile strength, obtained from core experiments and log-based inversion. These parameters form the foundation for multi-phase finite element simulations that reconstruct paleo- and present-day stress fields associated with the Indosinian (NW–SE compression), Yanshanian (NWW–SEE compression), and Himalayan (near W–E compression) deformation phases. Optimized Mohr–Coulomb and tensile failure criteria, coupled with a multi-phase stress superposition algorithm, enable quantitative prediction of fracture density, aperture, and orientation through successive tectonic cycles. The results reveal that the Longmaxi Formation’s high brittleness and lithological heterogeneity interact with evolving stress regimes to produce fracture systems that are strongly anisotropic and phase-dependent: initial NE–SW-oriented domains established during the Indosinian phase were intensified during Yanshanian reactivation, while Himalayan uplift induced regional stress attenuation with limited new fracture formation. The cumulative stress effects yield fracture networks concentrated along NE–SW fold axes, fault zones, and intersection zones. By integrating geomechanical predictions with seismic attributes and borehole observations, the study constructs a discrete fracture network that captures both large-scale tectonic fractures and small-scale features beyond seismic resolution. Fracture activity is further assessed using friction coefficient analysis, delineating zones of high activity along fold–fault intersections and stress concentration areas. This principle-driven approach demonstrates how mechanical characterization, stress field evolution, and fracture mechanics can be combined into a unified predictive tool, offering a transferable methodology for structurally complex, multi-deformation reservoirs. Beyond its relevance to shale gas development, the framework exemplifies how advanced geomechanical modeling can enhance resource prospecting efficiency and accuracy in diverse geological settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Prospecting Geology)
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Review

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32 pages, 1864 KB  
Review
Rare Earth Elements: A Review of Primary Sources, Applications, Business Investment, and Characterization Techniques
by Fabiano Ferreira de Medeiros, Alexandre Pereira Wentz, Beatriz Almeida Santos Castro, Fabricio Dias Rodrigues, Sara Silva Alves, Maria das Graças Andrade Korn, Jefferson Bettini, Jeancarlo Pereira dos Anjos and Lílian Lefol Nani Guarieiro
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10949; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010949 - 12 Oct 2025
Viewed by 255
Abstract
Minerals bearing rare earth elements (REEs) are formed through long geological processes, among which monazite, bastnasite, xenotime, and ionic adsorption clays are the most economically exploited. Although Brazil has one of the largest reserves of REEs on the planet, its production is still [...] Read more.
Minerals bearing rare earth elements (REEs) are formed through long geological processes, among which monazite, bastnasite, xenotime, and ionic adsorption clays are the most economically exploited. Although Brazil has one of the largest reserves of REEs on the planet, its production is still not significant on the world stage. China remains dominant, with the largest reserves of REEs and controlling more than half of world production. Due to their important application in advanced clean and low-carbon energy technologies, REEs have become fundamental to the energy transition process. Technological applications related to catalyst synthesis, ceramics production, and metallurgy have been explored. Furthermore, the use of REEs in devices of great demand today, such as computer memory, rechargeable batteries, and mobile phones, has been cited. With the growing demand for these critical minerals, large mining companies are seeking to implement cleaner production policies in their processes and save natural resources to minimize the environmental impacts of the exploration. Robust analytical techniques have made it possible to characterize these elements in multi-element geological matrices, with the increasing exploration and identification of new REE mineral reserves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Prospecting Geology)
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