Special Issues

Minerals publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Harnessing Surface Chemistry for Enhanced Mineral Recovery
edited by , Peilun Shen, Jia Tian and Ya Gao
submission deadline 15 Aug 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2611 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral processing; froth flotation; flotation reagents; flotation surface chemistry; flotation theory and technology; flotation separation and purification
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Characterization and Reuse of Slag
edited by Eduardo Junca, Felipe Fardin Grillo and Jorge Luís Coleti
submission deadline 29 Aug 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 7962 | Submission Open
Keywords: slag valorization; circular economy; slag processing; metallurgical byproduct
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Environmental Geochemistry of Heavy Metals: Contamination, Impacts, and Countermeasure Strategies
edited by , and Toshifumi Igarashi
submission deadline 29 Aug 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3239 | Submission Open
Keywords: potentially toxic elements; soil pollution sources and assessment; groundwater contamination; geochemistry of heavy metals; trace element speciation and mobility; acid mine drainage; environmental remediation and monitoring; naturally occurring heavy metals
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Application of Machine Learning in Mining, Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
edited by , and Pia Lois-Morales
submission deadline 29 Aug 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 1886 | Submission Open
Keywords: machine learning applied to mining; mineral processing; and extractive metallurgy; predictive modeling of mining and metallurgical processes; machine learning-based control of mining and metallurgical processes; machine learning-based water and energy optimization in mining; machine learning-based optimization of mining and metallurgical processes; predictive maintenance of equipment and components; optimization strategies and modeling of metallurgical process performance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
CO2 Mineralization and Utilization
edited by Fei Wang and
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 13303 | Submission Open
Keywords: CO2 mineralization and utilization; carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS); carbon neutrality; clean energy transition; sustainable development; CO2 emission reduction; enhanced metal recovery (EMR); critical and strategic minerals (MCS)
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Using Mineral Chemistry to Characterize Ore-Forming Processes
edited by Xinlu Hu, Xinbiao Lv, Yafei Wu and Zhenjie Zhang
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | 8 articles | Viewed by 10703 | Submission Open
Keywords: geochemistry; mineralogy; isotope; mineralization; ore deposits; ore-forming process
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Cemented Mine Waste Backfill: Experiment and Modelling: 2nd Edition
edited by , , and Xiwei Zhang
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | 9 articles | Viewed by 8471 | Submission Open
Keywords: cemented mine waste backfill; sustainable reuse of mine wastes; material characterization; alternative binder materials; mix proportion design; in situ measurement; environmental performance; mathematical modeling and numerical simulation
Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing
edited by , Zhao Cao, , and Zhitao Feng
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | 7 articles | Viewed by 8037 | Submission Open
Keywords: advances in mineral processing technology; sustainable and environmentally friendly processing methods; economic analysis and feasibility studies; innovative research methodologies; case studies and practical applications; policy and regulatory impacts on mineral processing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Tectonic Evolution of the Tethys Ocean in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
edited by Ming Wang
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | 9 articles | Viewed by 5917 | Submission Open
Keywords: Tethys; Qinghai– Tibet Plateau; tectonic evolution; geochronology; geochemistry
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Petrogenesis of Large Igneous Province and Rare Earth–Rare Metal Deposits
edited by Zhiguo Cheng and Xiaowei Li
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5044 | Submission Open
Keywords: large igneous province; mantle plume; carbonatite– alkaline complex; rare earth element deposit; rare metal deposit
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Magmatic Evolution through Time of Volcanic Zones: Evidence from Isotopic, Geochemical and Geochronological Data of Eruption Products
edited by Benigno E. Godoy, , Inés Rodríguez and
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 4476 | Submission Open
Keywords: volcanic geochronology; mineral geochemistry of volcanic products; hydrothermal alteration of volcanic systems; volcanic zones; eruptive styles; volcanic plumbing systems; time-scales of volcanic products; volcanic evolution
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Dissolution and Precipitation Dynamics at the Mineral–Fluid Interface
edited by André Pinto, Nuria Sánchez-Pastor and
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1960 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral dissolution– precipitation; mineral surface reactivity; sorption mechanisms; mineral replacement; environmental remediation; biomineralization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Granitoids and Their Importance in the Identification of Tectonic Environments, Geodynamic Evolution and Crustal Growth: Mineralizations, Geochronology, Elemental and Isotope Geochemistry
edited by , Nilson Francisquini Botelho and Paola Ferreira Barbosa
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 759 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineralogy; petrology; geochemistry; isotopic composition; geochronology; mineral and rocks; ore deposits; tectonic setting; supercontinent; crustal growth
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Recent Advances in Automated Mineralogy: From SEM-Based Systems to µXRF, 3D µCT and Beyond
edited by , Reiner Neumann and
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | Viewed by 527 | Submission Open
Keywords: scanning electron microscope (SEM); micro X-ray fluorescence (µ XRF); 3D X-ray micro computed tomography (3D µ CT); process mineralogy; mineral liberation analysis; geometallurgy; geosciences; petroleum exploration; petroleum production
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Geochronology, Mineralogy, and Genesis of Orogenic Gold Deposit: Implications for Gold Prospecting
edited by Gustavo Luiz Campos Pires, Pedro Maciel de Paula Garcia and Felipe Emerson André Alves
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | Viewed by 386 | Submission Open
Keywords: structurally controlled gold deposits; mineralizing hydrothermal fluids; metamorphic terrains; P-T-t pathway; deformational history; gold prospecting; gold tectonics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Exploring Novel Interactions Between Microbes and Minerals
edited by Dina M. Bower
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | Viewed by 282 | Submission Open
Keywords: bioweathering; biomineralization; biogeochemistry; microbial mats; biofilms; secondary minerals; microfossils; metabolisms; biotic; abiotic
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Bioleaching of Metals: Current Applications and Future Directions
edited by Rosina Nkuna and
submission deadline 31 Aug 2025 | Viewed by 188 | Submission Open
Keywords: microbial– mineral interactions; bioleaching; bioremediation; metal cycling; environmental sustainability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Mineralization Mechanism and Geochemical Characteristics of Coals and Associated Minerals
edited by Dongdong Wang, Xue Zheng and
submission deadline 5 Sep 2025 | 8 articles | Viewed by 11548 | Submission Open
Keywords: metallogenic mechanism; coals and  associated minerals metallogenic model; geochemistry characteristics; metallogenic process simulation; geochemical analysis techniques; mineral evaluation and mining technology; organic carbon aggregation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Slag Valorization for Advanced Metal Production, 2nd Edition
edited by and Timothy C. Eisele
submission deadline 15 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1777 | Submission Open
Keywords: slag; slag valorization; energy from slags; metal recycling; slag aggregates
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Understanding Geological Processes through Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Analysis
edited by
submission deadline 25 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 6684 | Submission Open
Keywords: process; petrology; mineralogy; laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy; petrogenesis; geochemistry
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
High-Pressure and High-Temperature Mineral Physics
edited by and Li Zhang
submission deadline 25 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1590 | Submission Open
Keywords: deep Earth; phase transitions; synchrotron X-ray; neutron diffraction; first-principle calculations; elemental enrichment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
Distribution and Development of Faults and Fractures in Shales
edited by Lei Gong, Guoping Liu, , Shaoqun Dong and Zhonghu Wu
submission deadline 26 Sep 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 7198 | Submission Open
Keywords: preservation and enrichment of shale oil and gas; multi-scale fracture/fault identification technique; characterization and comprehensive evaluation of effective fractures; fracture formation mechanism; filling sequence; and chronology; structural diagenesis; reservoir geomechanics; fault sealing and stability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
From Clay Minerals to Ceramics: Progress and Challenges submission deadline 26 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2549 | Submission Open
Keywords: clay minerals; thermal properties; supplementary cementitious materials; calcined clays; technological behavior; glass ceramics; recycling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Hyperspectral Imaging of Rocks: Mineralogical Characteristics and Classification
edited by Daniel Capella Zanotta, Ademir Marques Junior and Joice Cagliari
submission deadline 26 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 990 | Submission Open
Keywords: hyperspectral imaging; mineral classification; spectral signatures; rock characterization; geological mapping
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Recent Developments in the Technology and Equipment for Coal Beneficiation
edited by Zhijun Zhang, , Guichuan Ye and
submission deadline 26 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 423 | Submission Open
Keywords: coal beneficiation; coal preparation; flotation; gravity separation; classification; dewatering
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Mineral Prospectivity Mapping (MPM) Using Multi-Source Datasets, Geo-Statistical Algorithms and Machine Learning Techniques submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 13137 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral propectivity mapping (MPM); ore mineral exploration; remote sensing; multi-dimensional data fusion; machine learning techniques; knowledge-driven models; data-driven models; geophysical exploration; geochemical exploration; geographic information system (GIS) modeling; supervised and unsupervised algorithms; geo-statistical algorithms; deep learning techniques; novel hybrid methods
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Green and Efficient Recovery/Extraction of Rare Earth Resources
edited by and Yongqiang Yang
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 8 articles | Viewed by 11821 | Submission Open
Keywords: rare earth elements; recovery; extraction; mining
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Interfacial Chemistry of Critical Mineral Flotation
edited by Jianyong He, , Fanfan Zhang and Shaohang Cao
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 8 articles | Viewed by 9797 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral surface chemistry; fine particle flotation; critical mineral; molecular design; surface hydration; surface hydroxylation; metal ion-activated flotation; structure and performance; first-principles calculations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Genesis and Evolution of Pb-Zn-Ag Polymetallic Deposits: 2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5932 | Submission Open
Keywords: ore mineralogy; mineral geochemistry; geochronology; S– Pb– Zn– Cu isotopes; fluid evolution; element occurrence in sulfide; metal precipitation mechanism; element remobilization; ore-controlling structure; tectonic setting
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Geophysical Signatures of Mineral Deposits in Tropical and Subtropical Settings
edited by and Marcelo Henrique Leão-Santos
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5499 | Submission Open
Keywords: geophysical prospecting; mineral exploration; secondary mineral deposits; oxidized mineral deposits
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Alkali Activation of Clay-Based Materials
edited by , Lea Žibret and Sara Tominc
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4822 | Submission Open
Keywords: alkali activation; clay; metakaolin; waste and raw materials; building industry sector; rammed earth construction; geotechnical embankments; sustainability; impact on environment life-cycle assessment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Smart Exploration of Critical Minerals: Integrating Multi-Source Data for Enhanced Mineral Prospectivity Mapping
edited by Amirabbas Karbalaeiramezanali and Jeff Harris
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4799 | Submission Open
Keywords: critical minerals; artificial intelligence (AI); machine learning (ML); mineral exploration; mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM); geophysical data; geochemical data; remote sensing; knowledge-driven approaches; data-driven approaches
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Hydrometallurgical Treatments of Copper Ores, By-Products and Waste submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 3655 | Submission Open
Keywords: leaching; hydrometallurgy; copper sulfide ore; copper oxidized ore; dissolution; solvent extraction
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Coal Fly Ash as a Resource: Advances in Characterization, Utilization and Sustainable Solutions submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2496 | Submission Open
Keywords: coal fly ash; characterization; utilization; valorization; aluminosilicate
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Advances in the Petrography of Natural Fine-Grained Materials: A Microscale Answer to Their Genetic Pathways and Applications
edited by and Emilia García Romero
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2103 | Submission Open
Keywords: clay and clay minerals; petrography; electron microscopy; texture and microfabric; properties; genesis; paleoenvironment; applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Organo-Clays: Preparation, Characterization and Applications submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1872 | Submission Open
Keywords: organo-clays; the preparation of organo-clays; the characterization of organo-clays; the uses of organo-clays; organo-bentonite; organo-kaolin
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Global and Regional Tectonics: Insights from Sedimentary Records and Geochemistry, 2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1531 | Submission Open
Keywords: tectonics; sedimentary rocks and minerals; sedimentary geochemistry and isotopes; paleogeography
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Desorption and/or Reuse of Collectors in Mineral Flotation
edited by Jianjun Wang, , and Hao Zhang
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1416 | Submission Open
Keywords: flotation; collector; desorption; reuse; wastewater treatment; solid– liquid separation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Trans-Crustal Evolution of Magmas: Clues from Thermodynamic and Geochemical Modelling, Thermo-Barometry and Experimental Petrology
edited by Simone Costa and Alberto Caracciolo
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1242 | Submission Open
Keywords: magma evolution; thermo-barometry; thermodynamic modelling; geochemical modelling; igneous and experimental petrology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Innovations in Hydrometallurgy: Traditional and Emerging Approaches for Sustainable Metal Recovery
edited by , and Thandazile Moyo
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1190 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrometallurgy; sustainable extraction; circular economy; urban mining; environmental impact; innovative techniques; traditional approaches; resource efficiency; resource recovery
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
3D Technologies and Machine Learning in Mineral Sciences submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 812 | Submission Open
Keywords: 3D technologies; machine learning; digital twin in mineral sciences; mineral informatics; digital mineralogy; automated mineral recognition and image processing; virtual museums and cultural heritage; immersive learning in mineral sciences; interactive 3D models for geological studies
Application of Nanomaterials in Mineral Processing submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 605 | Submission Open
Keywords: nanomaterials; flotation; surface modification; selective separation; nanoparticles; catalysts
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Tectonic Evolution of Subduction Processes
edited by and Thomas Leydier
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 443 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral chemistry; geochronology; HP-LT metamorphism; geothermometers; geobarometers; and thermodynamic modeling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Development in Alkali-Activated Materials and Applications
edited by Emile Mukiza and
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 354 | Submission Open
Keywords: geopolymeric cements; eco-efficient concrete; sustainable materials; green cements; durability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
The Genetic Link Between Kimberlite and Continental Flood Basalt: Petrology, Geochemistry and Geochronology
edited by Jing Sun, Huapeng Niu and
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 139 | Submission Open
Keywords: kimberlite; continental flood basalt; mantle plume; xenoliths
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Critical Minerals and Associated Elements in Mine Effluent and Treatment Residuals: Management Strategies and Technologies for Resource Recovery
edited by Mengling Stuckman, Charles A. Cravotta and Chin-Min Cheng
submission deadline 10 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2104 | Submission Open
Keywords: mine drainage; tailing leachate; environmentally responsible; (bio)geochemical interactions and models; rare earth elements; lithium; transition metals; socio-economic assessment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Mineral Processing and Recycling Technologies for Sustainable Future
edited by Zoran Štirbanović, , and Zhitao Feng
submission deadline 15 Oct 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 3750 | Submission Open
Keywords: advances in mineral processing; recycling of waste materials for sustainable future; critical minerals utilization from waste and natural resources; innovative solutions in mineral and recycling industry; decarbonization and green technologies; energy transition for climate change reduction
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Mineralogical and Geochemical Insights into Cultural Heritage Materials
edited by Nuno Leal, Amélia Dionísio and
submission deadline 15 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 636 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage; mineralogy; geochemistry; degradation; conservation; materials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits
edited by Huimin Su, Yang Gao and
submission deadline 17 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1756 | Submission Open
Keywords: rare metal mineral deposits; enrichment mechanism; geochemistry; geochronology; mineralization processes; resource exploration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Geochronological, Petrological and Geochemical Studies of Basaltic Rocks from Oceanic Crust
edited by and Xijun Liu
submission deadline 24 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 121 | Submission Open
Keywords: petrogenesis; magmatic processes; basalt; mantle source; subduction zone; mid-oceanic ridge; intraplate setting
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
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