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Mining Engineering: Present and Future Prospectives

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 2629

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Mining Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: explosives, blasting, detonations; blast-induced ground vibrations; demolition; tunnel excavation and properties of explosives

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Guest Editor
Department of Mining Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: thermal analysis and characterization of explosives; reaction kinetics; thermal initiation of explosives; combustion and detonation chemistry and physics

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Guest Editor
Department of Systems, Control, and Information Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Asahikawa College, 2-2-1-6 Syunkodai, Asahikawa City 071-8142, Hokkaido, Japan
Interests: social infra-structure (civil engineering, architecture, disaster pre-vention); disas-ter prevention engineering; energy; earth resource engi-neering; energy science
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mining is one of the oldest organized human activities. Today's human world is full of objects and products which, in their original or processed and refined states, originate from mining production. This applies to everything in our environment, with the exception of materials and products of plant and animal origin. Metals, building materials, solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and various types of plastics are either extracted directly or by processing materials from mining. In a broader sense, the term mining also includes the construction of underground spaces and tunnels. The mining production of every community, state and society is the basis and source of raw materials, materials and energy, as well as the basis for production development and economic and civilization development. The future of mining is being shaped by global trends, including the green transition, digitalization, technological innovation and increased environmental awareness. Mining is increasingly using advanced technologies such as automation, remote control of machinery and digitalization of processes, which reduces costs, increases productivity and improves safety in the workplace. The future of mining is bright, but it requires adapting to new technologies, environmental standards and global economic challenges.

Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Mining engineering.
  • Mine exploitation (mining methods, fragmentation, explosives and blasting, transportation, ventilation, design and planning of surface and underground mines, rock mechanics, tunneling).
  • Mine safety science and technology.
  • Mining environment and sustainable development.
  • Artificial intelligence techniques for mining applications.
  • Mining automation and integration.
  • Mining waste management and recycling technologies.
  • Life cycle assessment in mining.
  • Post-mining management.

Dr. Vinko Škrlec
Prof. Dr. Muhamed Suceska
Dr. Hajime Ikeda
Guest Editors

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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

  • mining
  • mine exploitation
  • mining methods
  • explosives and blasting
  • mine transportation
  • mine safety, mine ventilation
  • mining automation and integration
  • life cycle assessment in mining

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 10229 KB  
Article
Mechanical Properties of Copper Tailings Cemented Paste Backfill Incorporating Thermally and Mechanically Treated Saudi Natural Pozzolan
by Ardhymanto Am Tanjung, Haitham M. Ahmed and Hussin A. M. Ahmed
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(24), 13205; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152413205 - 17 Dec 2025
Viewed by 77
Abstract
Cemented Paste Backfill (CPB) is a technique that utilizes mine tailings, mining-process water, and a binder, typically Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), to backfill the opening created in underground mining. However, the use of cement in CPB increases operational costs and has adverse environmental [...] Read more.
Cemented Paste Backfill (CPB) is a technique that utilizes mine tailings, mining-process water, and a binder, typically Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), to backfill the opening created in underground mining. However, the use of cement in CPB increases operational costs and has adverse environmental effects. To mitigate these effects, eco-friendly natural pozzolan can be used as a partial replacement for OPC, thereby reducing its consumption and environmental impact. The volcanic region of western Saudi Arabia contains extensive deposits of Saudi natural pozzolan (SNP), which is a promising candidate for this purpose. This study evaluates the mechanical performance of CPB under four scenarios: a control mixture (CTRL), a mixture with untreated SNP (UT), and mixtures with activated SNP, specifically heat-treated (HT) and mechanically treated (MT). Each scenario was tested at replacement levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of OPC. The performance was assessed using Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) with Elastic Modulus (E), Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV), and Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS/Brazilian) tests. The results indicate that the HT scenario at a 5% replacement level delivered the highest performance, slightly outperforming the MT scenario. Both activated scenarios (HT and MT) significantly surpassed the untreated mixture (UT). Overall, the HT scenario proved to be the most effective among all CPB mixtures tested. XRD diffractogram analysis supported HT as the material with the highest strength performance due to the occurrence of more strength phases than other CPB materials, including Alite, Quartz, and Calcite. While UCS and UPV showed a positive correlation across all CPB materials, the relationship between UPV and the modulus of elasticity (E) demonstrated a low correlation. The findings suggest that using activated SNP materials can enhance CPB sustainability by lowering cement demand, stabilizing operating costs, and reducing environmental impacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mining Engineering: Present and Future Prospectives)
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19 pages, 5368 KB  
Article
Challenges of Tunnel Support in Low Overburden Zones in Urban Areas—Case Study
by Ekrem Bektašević, Satko Filipović, Luka Crnogorac, Kemal Gutić, Zijad Požegić and Rade Tokalić
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12094; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212094 - 14 Nov 2025
Viewed by 336
Abstract
This paper systematically analyzes the challenges of stabilizing tunnel excavations in zones with low overburden in urban environments, through an engineering-validated case study of the Kobilja Glava Tunnel. A combined approach involving the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) and the pre-installation of steel [...] Read more.
This paper systematically analyzes the challenges of stabilizing tunnel excavations in zones with low overburden in urban environments, through an engineering-validated case study of the Kobilja Glava Tunnel. A combined approach involving the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) and the pre-installation of steel pipe umbrellas was applied as the primary pre-support measure under complex geotechnical conditions. The design, drilling, grouting, and formation of the temporary support arch were thoroughly documented, along with the implementation of shotcrete, lattice girders, self-drilling anchors, and reinforcement meshes. A numerical analysis was performed using the PLAXIS 2D software package, encompassing the modeling of deformations, shear forces, axial forces, and bending moments, with precisely defined support parameters. Geodetic monitoring recorded maximum surface settlements of up to 70 mm at an overburden of less than 3 m, while deformations were reduced to 28 mm at an overburden of 20 m. The numerical model confirmed soil plasticization within a 3 m wide zone, with maximum displacements reaching 6.3 cm, consistent with field measurements. Calculated tensile strain and angular distortion were classified according to established building damage criteria, confirming minimal structural impact on adjacent buildings. The applied combination of the NATM and the pipe umbrella pre-support system proved to be an effective and reliable solution for controlling deformations and ensuring excavation stability under conditions of limited rock cover and dense urban development. The obtained results provide a verified framework and practical recommendations for future tunneling projects in similar geotechnical and urban conditions, aiming to enhance safety, stability, and cost-effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mining Engineering: Present and Future Prospectives)
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23 pages, 5185 KB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of the NorSand and HS Small Constitutive Models for Evaluating Static Liquefaction in a Silt Derived from Mine Tailings
by Matias Muñoz-Gaete, Ricardo Gallardo, Edison Atencio, Ricardo Moffat, Pablo F. Parra, Carlos Cacciuttolo and William Araujo
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8726; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158726 - 7 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1624
Abstract
The representation and assessment of static liquefaction in mine tailings is a significant challenge due to the severe environmental and social damage it can cause. This phenomenon, known for its catastrophic nature, is triggered when the undrained shear strength is exceeded by a [...] Read more.
The representation and assessment of static liquefaction in mine tailings is a significant challenge due to the severe environmental and social damage it can cause. This phenomenon, known for its catastrophic nature, is triggered when the undrained shear strength is exceeded by a static loading stress. In this study, the constitutive models HSS and NS were evaluated to calibrate the experimental curves from an isotropically consolidated undrained (CIU) triaxial test on a low-plasticity silt derived from mine tailings. An axisymmetric model was developed in Plaxis 2D for calibration, followed by a sensitivity analysis of the parameters of both constitutive models, using the RMSE to validate their accuracy. The results indicate that the proposed methodology adequately simulates the experimental curves, achieving an RMSE of 8%. After calibration, a numerical model was implemented to evaluate the propagation of the PFS of a mine tailings storage facility using both models, in terms of excess pore pressures, shear strains, and p’-q diagrams at three control points. The results show that both models are capable of representing the PFS; however, the HSS model reproduces the experimental curves more accurately, establishing itself as an ideal tool for simulating undrained behavior and, consequently, the phenomenon of static liquefaction in mine tailings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mining Engineering: Present and Future Prospectives)
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