Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Backfill mining technology has emerged as a sustainable solution for mine waste management and ground subsidence control in underground mining operations. Recognized for its efficiency, environmental benefits, and potential for mine environment rehabilitation, this technology has gained widespread adoption in modern mining practices. Recent decades have witnessed significant advancements in backfill mining research, encompassing mining methods, material development, and performance evaluation of backfill systems. These developments have greatly promoted the application of backfill technology in underground mines.

Backfill mining research has grown exponentially, with publications increasing at a CAGR of 12%, recently surpassing more than 1500 studies each year. China leads the research output, focusing on fiber-reinforced materials and AI applications, followed by Canada in rheology and Australia in sustainable binders. Trending topics include smart monitoring systems, carbon-neutral binders, and bio-cementation. Emerging areas explore self-healing materials and thermal regulation.

The first edition of this Special Issue presents a collection of innovative studies that advance backfill technology across multiple dimensions. The featured research covers fundamental investigations into material properties, including mechanical behavior under dynamic loading and environmental cycles, as well as practical applications such as novel dewatering techniques and optimized mining methods. Several contributions focus on material enhancement through fiber reinforcement and thermal treatment, while others address operational challenges through scheduling optimization and curing agent development.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all authors for their valuable contributions, to the reviewers for their constructive feedback, and to the editorial board for their dedicated efforts in preparing this Special Issue. Their works have significantly enriched the field of sustainable mining technologies. The first edition of the Special Issue demonstrated the remarkable progress that has been made in backfill technology, bridging theoretical understanding with practical engineering solutions to address contemporary challenges in mine waste management and sustainable resource extraction.

The second edition of the Special Issue invites research and review articles on backfilling technology and materials across research fields which may include (but are not limited to) the following topics:

• Advances in backfill mining method, theory, and technology;
• Advances in backfill materials;
• Mechanical and rheological performance of backfill materials;
• Advances in mathematical modeling, numerical simulation, and in situ measurement methods of backfill materials.

Prof. Dr. Yuye Tan
Dr. Xun Chen
Dr. Yuan Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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