Announcements

We are honored to recognize the 2024 MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers—scholars whose exemplary commitment to rigorous and constructive peer review is vital in upholding the highest standards of academic publishing.

Selected from a distinguished pool of 215,000 reviewers from 65 countries and regions worldwide, these honorees stand out for their exceptional expertise, diligence, and dedication to advancing research through timely and thoughtful reviews. Their constructive and impartial feedback ensures the publication of high-quality, impactful research, while their timely reviews facilitate swift revisions and faster publication of innovative work.

Peer review is the invisible foundation of academic progress. With gratitude and respect, we celebrate these 1000 scholars who made that foundation stronger in 2024. We respected all privacy preferences, with part of nominees opting for limited attribution.

The names of these reviewers are listed below in alphabetical order by first name:

Minerals (ISSN: 2075-163X) is pleased to announce the winners of the Minerals Best Paper Award. We selected two research articles and one review among all the peer-reviewed papers published in our journal in 2023. The papers were chosen after a thorough evaluation conducted by the journal’s Award Committee led by the Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Leonid Dubrovinsky. 

We would like to congratulate the following winners: 

• “Potential Future Alternative Resources for Rare Earth Elements: Opportunities and Challenges”
  by Vysetti Balaram
  Minerals 2023, 13(3), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13030425

• “Comparison of Quantitative X-ray Diffraction Mineral Analysis Methods”
  by Jingyun Xiao, Yougui Song and Yue Li
  Minerals 2023, 13(4), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13040566

• “Silicification of Wood: An Overview”
  by George E. Mustoe
  Minerals 2023, 13(2), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13020206

The announcement of the winners can be found on the following website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/minerals/awards/3569.

Minerals Editorial Office

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.

We are pleased to announce Dr. Elisa Laita and Dr. Chongchong Qi as the winners of the Minerals 2025 Travel Award. The Minerals Travel Award was launched in 2016, and it is awarded every year to encourage young scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences in the fields of mineralogy, mineral geochemistry and geochronology, economic mineral resources, mineral exploration, innovative mining techniques, and advances in mineral processing. The winners of this award will receive CHF 800 each and a certificate. The winners were chosen by the journal’s award committee—Prof. Dr. Leonid Dubrovinsky, Prof. Hyunjung Kim, Dr. Alexandra Guedes, Dr. Jianxi Zhu, Dr. Alexander R Cruden, and Dr. Paul Alexandre.

Dr. Elisa Laita received a bachelor’s degree in geology in 2015 at the University of Zaragoza (Spain), where she also completed an M.Sc. in geology and an M.Sc. in Secondary Education in 2016 and 2017, respectively. She defended her Ph.D. at the same university in 2022, and she was awarded the extraordinary Ph.D. award. Her research has focused on the mineralogical and geochemical characterization of clay-rich materials, both from paleoclimatic and industrial perspectives. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Geology Department of the University of Jaén (Spain). She has published 16 scientific articles in JCR-indexed journals, participated in five research projects, and completed both predoctoral and postdoctoral research stays at the Institute of Analytical and Physical Chemistry for the Environment and Materials (Pau, France). She has presented her work at seven international conferences and more than ten national ones and has taken part in numerous seminars and webinars. In addition, she actively collaborates in science outreach activities related to geology, aiming to make earth sciences more accessible to the public.

Dr. Chongchong Qi received a B.Sc. in mining engineering from the China University of Mining and Technology (2016) and a Ph.D. in mining engineering from The University of Western Australia (2019), where his thesis, “Machine-Learning Aided Design for Cemented Paste Backfill”, pioneered innovative approaches to mineral-based materials. Since 2019, he has led transformative research in cemented paste backfill (CPB), green mining, and heavy metal remediation—areas central to mineral sciences. He has also published several papers in Minerals (ISSN: 2075-163X), with one of them being recognized as the Most Cited & Viewed Paper in Minerals in 2020. Dr. Qi also actively participates in the editorial process of Minerals, having joined the Editorial Board of Minerals and led several Special Issues.

We were honored to interview Dr. Elisa Laita and Dr. Chongchong Qi. The interview is summarized below:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your field of research?
Dr. Elisa Laita: My name is Elisa Laita, and I am currently a postdoc researcher at the Geology Department of the University of Jaén (Spain). My main research line is focused on the mineralogical and geochemical analysis of clay minerals included in palaeosols and clay-rich rocks with both palaeoclimatic and industrial perspectives. 
Dr. Chongchong Qi: My name is Chongchong Qi, and I am an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia. My work focuses on mitigating the environmental impacts of mineral extraction and use, including tailings recycling via cemented paste backfill technology, identification of mining-induced heavy metal pollution, pollution remediation, etc.

2. In your previous collaborations with MDPI, what impressed you the most?
Dr. Elisa Laita: In my previous collaborations with MDPI (as an author, reviewer, and currently as a Guest Editor), I have been most impressed by the efficiency of the editorial process, and I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the scientific community.
Dr. Chongchong Qi: One of MDPI’s major advantages is its fast peer-review process, made possible by the dedication of both the Editorial Office and the reviewers. When timely publication is crucial—such as supporting students’ graduations—MDPI is among the top choices.

3. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
Dr. Elisa Laita: I think that mineralogy will continue to be central for addressing global challenges in the coming years. The role of certain critical raw materials in green technologies will gain importance. I also think that advances in analytical techniques will open new avenues for exploring minerals at micro- and nanoscale levels.
Dr. Chongchong Qi: Today, AI is revolutionizing every stage of research—from idea generation and experimental design to data analysis and manuscript writing. I am confident the minerals community will experience the same transformation, with AI-supported minerals exploration, extraction, utilization, and recycling.

4. As the winner of this award, would you like to take a moment to share your thoughts with our readers or express gratitude to those who have played a significant role in your research accomplishments?
Dr. Elisa Laita: I am very grateful for this award, and I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have supported me through my academic journey. Thank you to my colleagues and mentors at the University of Zaragoza (Spain), as well as to my colleagues from the University of Jaén (Spain) and IPREM (Pau, France) for their guidance, dedication, and support.
Dr. Chongchong Qi: This award means a lot to me, as it offers an invaluable opportunity to present my research at such a prestigious conference. I am deeply grateful to the many wonderful people who have supported me along the way—especially my wife and sons, my supervisors at the University of Western Australia and Central South University, and my friends for their encouragement and assistance.

In collaboration with the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Minerals (ISSN: 2075-163X) is hosting an author training session designed to educate attendees on MDPI's paper publication process and the ecosystem surrounding open access publishing. The session will cover an introduction to not only Minerals but also MDPI journals as a collective, delving into the editorial process to provide valuable insights and instilling essential skills for structuring papers and replying to reviewers effectively. Additionally, participants will be instructed on methods to improve their scientific writing, with our expert speakers leading the way to ensure a thorough understanding of how attendees can improve their publishing potential.

Date: 14 October 2025
Time: 8:00–10:00
Venue: Room 2.10, Building L2, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 13 Na Grobli Street, 50-421 Wrocław
Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcrbUaui0g0cwbWMAdV818Fes7GytmCHFM2lQVfk4GT8oHPw/viewform

Schedule:

Speakers:

	Mgr inż. Marek Sompolski is a PhD candidate at Wrocław University of science and technology. After graduating from WroTech, he focused on InSAR applications in polar regions, with a specific interest in calving front position detection. He was an organizing committee member of past editions of the conference of PhD students and young scientists before becoming a conference coordinator.
	Dr. Agnieszka Rydz holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD in chemistry from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, with a specialization in the crystallography of small molecules. She joined MDPI in March 2021 as an Assistant Editor for Crystals, later advancing to Section Managing Editor. She currently serves as a Journal Relations Specialist for the Minerals, Mining, and Vibration journals. In this role, she focuses on maintaining strong communication with Editorial Board Members and supporting journal development by identifying new collaboration opportunities. Dr. Rydz has organized over 100 scholar visits and has represented MDPI journals at seven scientific events.
	Ms. Anna Krakowka holds a master’s degree in materials engineering from the Czestochowa University of Technology in Poland. She joined MDPI as an Assistant Editor in January 2021 and was promoted to Section Managing Editor later that year, also serving as Group Leader for two sections in Krakow office. Additionally, she worked as the publishing manager for Materials, gaining valuable experience in representing the journal and the company at both in-person and online academic events and meetings. She currently serves as the Journal Relations Specialist for the Materials and Construction Materials journals.

Nobel Prizes are the world’s most prestigious recognition of scientific breakthroughs, honoring discoveries that push the boundaries of knowledge and reshape entire fields. They bring into the public eye researchers whose work might otherwise remain known only within specialized circles.

For many, winning a Nobel Prize is a surreal experience. Laureates often describe a mix of joy, humility, reflection, and gratitude for the teams and collaborators whose contributions made the achievement possible. Behind every Nobel-winning idea lies years of careful, incremental work—a process that often goes unseen.

When Prof. Steven Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in Physics in October 1979, his wife Louise, a legal scholar, reminded him to keep doing the ordinary hard work of science, joking: “Now you have to write some unimportant papers.” True to form, Weinberg continued to push the boundaries of our understanding of the Universe, showing that curiosity and dedication extend far beyond the moment of recognition (Hofmann 2025: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/17/6/840).

Discover the science behind the world’s most transformative ideas

Over the years, dozens of Nobel laureates have published their work with MDPI, entrusting our open access journals to disseminate their findings to a global audience. As of 2024, more than 40 laureates have contributed over 115 articles across 35 journals, ranging from pioneering research on microRNAs and mRNA therapeutics, to fundamental insights in theoretical physics, and advances in structural biology.

We regularly spotlight how Nobel Prize–winning research intersects with the contributions of our authors. This not only celebrates the achievements of the laureates, but also underscores the role of open access in ensuring that transformative science reaches the widest possible audience.

On this page, we invite you to explore selected works by Nobel laureates within the MDPI portfolio, and to join us in celebrating the global impact of their ideas.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 will be announced on October 6 at 11:30 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.

The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physiology or Medicine Roundtable
6 October 2025, 03:30 pm (CEST)
Free to register for this webinar here!

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 will be announced on October 7 at 11:45 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.

The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physics Roundtable
7 October 2025, 02:30 pm (CEST)
Free to register for this webinar here!

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 will be announced on October 8 at 11:45 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.

Date: 23 September 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m
Location: The Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto

MDPI is thrilled to announce our participation in the University of Toronto’s largest career fair, taking place at the St. George Downtown Campus. This exciting event brings together thousands of students, graduates, and professionals looking to connect with top employers and explore career opportunities.

We invite all attendees to visit the MDPI booth to discover how you can be part of one of the world’s leading open access academic publishers. Whether you are passionate about scientific research, editorial work, marketing, or supporting global innovation in publishing, we want to meet YOU!

What to expect at our booth:

• Learn more about MDPI’s mission and global impact;
• Explore exciting career opportunities in publishing, editorial, communications, and more;
• Network with our team and ask questions about working at MDPI.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to take the next step, don’t miss this opportunity to connect with MDPI. Bring your resume, your curiosity, and your questions—we look forward to seeing you there!

For additional information on the Career Fair and Open MDPI positions, please visit the following links:

• Learn more about the U of T Career Fair;
• Explore Careers with MDPI Canada.

Geology, the fundamental science of Earth’s materials, structures, and dynamic processes, underpins our understanding of natural systems and directly informs a wide range of applied practices. Its insights into mineral composition, tectonic activity, geomorphology, and glaciology are not only essential for academic advancement, but also for addressing real-world challenges. Building on this foundation, geotechnical engineering applies geological knowledge to the analysis, design, and construction of structures interacting with the ground. Together, these disciplines address critical needs in infrastructure development, resource extraction, natural hazard mitigation, and environmental sustainability.

MDPI’s cluster of geotechnical engineering and geology journals is being introduced to support and promote this vital intersection of theory and application. This initiative fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, enhances research visibility, and provides a platform for high-quality contributions across both foundational science and its engineering applications.

The five participating journals are as follows:

• Minerals (ISSN: 2075-163X) focuses on mineralogy, mineral geochemistry and geochronology, economic mineral resources, mineral exploration, innovative mining techniques, and advances in mineral processing. Minerals is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Leonid Dubrovinsky (University Bayreuth);
• GeoHazards (ISSN: 2624-795X) focuses on scientific research concerning geomorphological hazards, including both endogenous and exogenous hazards, as well as those related to climate change and human activity. GeoHazards is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Zhong Lu (Southern Methodist University) and Dr. Tiago Miguel Ferreira (University of Lisbon);
• Mining (ISSN: 2673-6489) focuses on mining science and engineering. Mining is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Mostafa Benzaazoua (University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P));
• Geotechnics (ISSN: 2673-7094) focuses on high-quality research and developmental activities in the fields of soil, rock and geo-environmental engineering worldwide. Geotechnics is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. George Mylonakis (University of Bristol and Khalifa University);
• Glacies (ISSN: 2813-8740) focuses on the research of natural, artificial, and extraterrestrial ice and snow, as well as interactions between ice, snow, and the atmospheric, oceanic, and land environment. Glacies is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Steven R. Fassnacht (Colorado State University).

	Launch year	Impact Factor (2024)	CiteScore (2024)	First Decision (median)	Acceptance to Publication (Median Days)	APC (CHF)
	2011	2.2	4.4	18.2	2.6	2400
	2020	1.6	2.2	17.2	3.6	1400
	2021	/	4	19.3	4.6	1200
	2021	1.9	3.6	18.7	4.8	1200
	2024	/	/	19	4	1000

MDPI’s Mission and Values:
As a pioneer of academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our aim is to foster scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. MDPI’s guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:

• Open Access—All of our content is published in open access and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to science and the latest research, allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;
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• Rooted in Sustainability—Ensuring the long-term preservation of published papers and supporting the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.

By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.

Selected Topics:
“Deep Earth and Deep Sea Engineering: Challenges, Theory and Advance Technologies”;
“Remote Sensing and Geological Disasters”;
“Dynamic Disaster Control, Mine Multi-Source Disaster Monitoring and Intelligent Analysis, 2nd Edition”.

Selected Articles:
Minerals
“Potential Future Alternative Resources for Rare Earth Elements: Opportunities and Challenges”
by Vysetti Balaram
Minerals 2023, 13(3), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13030425

GeoHazards
“A Revision of Historical Earthquakes in the Ionian Sea, Greece: Island of Lefkada”
by Gerassimos A. Papadopoulos and Ioanna Triantafyllou
GeoHazards 2025, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/geohazards6010007

Mining
“A Review of In Situ Leaching (ISL) for Uranium Mining”
by Guihe Li and Jia Yao
Mining 2024, 4(1), 120-148; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining4010009

Geotechnics
“Nonlinear Viscoplastic Modeling of the Feijão Dam 1 Failure”
by Tyler J. Oathes and Ross W. Boulanger
Geotechnics 2025, 5(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5020041

Glacies
“Location Dictates Snow Aerodynamic Roughness”
by Steven R. Fassnacht, Kazuyoshi Suzuki, Masaki Nemoto, Jessica E. Sanow, Kenji Kosugi, Molly E. Tedesche and Markus M. Frey
Glacies 2024, 1(1), 1-16; https://doi.org/10.3390/glacies1010001