Cemented Mine Waste Backfill: Experiment and Modelling, 3rd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

In light of the favorable response to the initial two editions of our Special Issue—comprising 14 publications in the first and 9 in the second—we are delighted to present the third edition. The published studies pre-dominantly focused on material design, rheological and mechanical properties, microstructural characterization, and numerical or data-driven modeling of cemented mine waste backfill under various curing and engineering conditions, establishing a robust foundation for future progress.

Cemented mine waste backfill (CMWR) is a crucial technique for sustainable and secure mining, enabling significant reutilization of mine wastes, reducing surface disposal and environmental risks, and improving subterranean stability. As a result of the transition to deeper mining and heightened environmental regulations, CMWR systems must increasingly exhibit reduced carbon emissions, enduring robustness, and dependable performance in challenging operational environments. These criteria emphasize the necessity for both innovative experimental techniques and advanced modeling tools.

Therefore, this third edition especially encourages contributions pertaining to carbon mineralization and AI-based prediction and monitoring in cemented mine waste backfill, expanding on the scope of the prior two editions. The design of new carbon-sequestering binders; carbonation-induced strength development, durability, and environmental performance; CO₂ mineralization kinetics and microstructural evolution; AI-based approaches for process optimization and performance prediction are some of the topics of interest.

To contribute to this Special Issue, we kindly welcome scholars and practitioners to submit original research articles and comprehensive reviews. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Characterization of Backfill Components: Recent advances in binders, chemical and pozzolanic additives, alkali-activated/alternative low-carbon binders.
• Fresh Backfill Properties: Studies on rheology, workability, and transportability.
• Performance and Durability: Mechanical and geochemical durability, microstructural properties.
• Environmental Issues and Mitigation: Acid mine drainage prevention and control techniques, heavy metal release potential and immobilization/stabilization.
• Technological Innovation: Technological performance testing, design of novel carbon-sequestering binders, carbonation-induced strength development and durability, environmental performance, CO₂ mineralization kinetics and microstructural evolution.
• Advanced Methods and System Assessment: AI-based approaches for process optimization and performance prediction, mathematical modeling and numerical simulation, in situ monitoring, environmental regulations, and life-cycle assessment studies.

Dr. Haiqiang Jiang
Prof. Dr. Ferdi Cihangir
Dr. Baiyi Li
Dr. Xiaolin Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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.

• cemented paste backfill/cemented mine waste backfill
• tailings and waste management
• alternative binder materials
• mix proportion design
• mechanical and geochemical durability
• rheological properties
• acid mine drainage and heavy metal release
• geotechnical properties
• environmental performance and carbon sequestration
• mathematical modeling, numerical simulation and AI-based approaches

• Cemented Mine Waste Backfill: Experiment and Modelling in Minerals (14 articles)