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Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition

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A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 January 2026) | Viewed by 6671

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Prof. Dr. Yuye Tan

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Guest Editor

School of Civil and Resources Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: backfill mining; cemented tailings backfill materials; mechanical behavior of cemented tailings backfill; hydration process and characteristic of cemented tailings backfill slurry
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Dr. Xun Chen

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Guest Editor

School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
Interests: cemented tailings backfill; solid waste filling material; solution mining
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Dr. Yuan Li

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Guest Editor

Department of Mining Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0102, USA
Interests: tailings dewatering; tailings material characterization; tailings backfill; management of tailings storage facilities
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Special Issue Information

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

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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.

Keywords

backfill mining method
cemented tailing backfill technology
filling materials
mine waste
binding material
cemented tailing backfill
mechanical properties of cemented tailing backfill
rheological properties of filling slurry
mathematical modeling
numerical simulation
in situ measurement

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Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials in Minerals (10 articles)

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3121 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation of Spatial Particle Size Distribution and Segregation in Tailings Slurry for High-Goaf Backfilling

by Qinli Zhang, Chuanyi Cheng, Peng Zhang, Daolin Wang, Bin Liu and Qiusong Chen

Minerals 2026, 16(4), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16040343 - 24 Mar 2026

Viewed by 471

Abstract

Tailings backfilling (TB) is widely recognized as an environmentally friendly and engineering safe technique to enhance mining efficiency. However, the heterogeneous particle distribution in TB slurry, also-named the segregation phenomenon, can significantly affect the mechanical strength of the backfill, especially under high goaf conditions. Therefore, elucidating the spatial distribution characteristics of particles during high-goaf filling has become a crucial research focus for improving the mechanical behavior of tailings backfill. A systematic experimental investigation was conducted in this study, incorporating the similarity principle, to analyze the migration behavior of backfill slurry particles and to clarify how the different backfill heights influence the spatial distribution of fine, medium, and coarse particles. The results indicate a clear vertical variation in PSD. Based on statistical analysis of samples collected from different backfill height experiments, coarse particle content increased progressively from the upper to lower layers (median: 16.2%, 23.6%, and 25.0%), while medium-sized particles remained relatively stable (37.0%, 37.3%, 37.0%). Fine particles dominated overall but decreased with layers (45.6%, 38.8%, 38.3%). Coarse particles tended to settle downward due to gravitational forces, whereas fine particles migrated upward. The distribution of medium-sized particles remained largely homogeneous. Fine and coarse particles were subjected to opposing driving forces. Meanwhile, particles maintained an approximately symmetrical distribution in the horizontal direction. Moreover, when the backfill height exceeded 800 mm, a notable intensification of stratification occurred, indicating a strong height-dependent transition in segregation behavior. In contrast, in the horizontal direction, the PSD showed no clear dependence on backfill height. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of particle segregation within backfill materials, offering a theoretical foundation and experimental support for optimizing PSD within the backfill body and elucidating the collapse mechanisms of high goafs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition)

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24 pages, 8216 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Properties, Acoustic Emission Characteristics, and Damage Evolution of Cemented Tailings Backfill Under Temperature Effects

by Haoliang Han, Chao Zhang, Jinping Guo and Xiaolin Wang

Minerals 2026, 16(2), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16020193 - 12 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 387

Abstract

In the context of deep mining and green low-carbon transition, this study characterizes the thermo-mechanical evolution and fracture mechanisms of cemented tailings backfill (CTB) through systematic experiments conducted at 20–60 °C across 3–28 days. Results demonstrate that strength and elastic modulus follow a unimodal dependence on temperature, peaking at 40 °C. Gaussian modeling reveals that curing times narrow the thermal tolerance window, with the elastic modulus exhibiting higher sensitivity to overheating. A consistent “pre-peak activity window” is identified in AE responses, characterized by b-value drops and an increase in tensile event proportions from 66% to 83%. A composite AE damage index (ADI) is introduced to systematically precede macroscopic failure, with thresholds of ADI ≥ 0.60 and 0.70 indicating accelerated crack propagation and imminent instability, respectively. Microstructural analysis confirms that 40 °C promotes C-S-H and fine ettringite bridging, whereas temperatures ≥ 50 °C induce Ca(OH)₂ coarsening and enhanced pore connectivity, triggering early tensile-dominated degradation. This study establishes a “temperature → hydration/porosity → AE response → mechanical evolution” pathway, providing an optimal curing window of 40 ± 5 °C and an ADI-based early-warning criterion for temperature-adaptive CTB design and on-site safety management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 4231 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Settlement Thickening of Tailings Slurry by Ultrasonic Treatment: Optimization of Application Timing and Power and Insight into the Underlying Mechanism

by Liyi Zhu, Zhao Wei, Peng Yang, Xiaofei Qiao, Penglin Lang, Zhengbin Li, Kun Wang, Wensheng Lyu and Jialu Zeng

Minerals 2026, 16(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16020124 - 23 Jan 2026

Viewed by 565

Abstract

Efficient thickening of unclassified tailings slurry (UTS) is critical for enhancing mine backfill efficiency and reducing operational costs. Ultrasonic technology has emerged as a promising approach to facilitating the solid–liquid separation process in such slurries. In this study, systematic experiments were conducted using a 20 kHz ultrasonic concentrator. The effects of ultrasonic treatment timing (applied at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 min during free settling) and power (50 to 400 W in eight levels) were investigated by monitoring the solid–liquid interface settling velocity and underflow concentration. The key findings are as follows: Ultrasonic application at the 5 min mark yielded the optimal thickening performance, increasing the final mass concentration by 1.3% compared to free settling alone. The average settling velocity generally increased with ultrasonic power (with the exception of 50 W), and the final underflow concentration exhibited a steady rise. Notably, the 400 W treatment induced a significant settlement acceleration, attributed to the formation of drainage channels. Mechanistic analysis revealed that these drainage channels undergo a dynamic process of formation, expansion, contraction, and closure, driven by ultrasonically induced directional water migration, particle compaction, and energy boundary effects. This research not only enriches the theoretical framework of ultrasonic-assisted thickening but also provides practical insights for optimizing mine backfill operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 2359 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation Process and Performance of Mineral Admixtures Derived from High-Sulfur Lead-Zinc Tailings

by Mengyuan Li, Mingshan Gong, Hangkong Li, Lijie Guo, Zhong Li, Xin Guo, Yanying Yin and Tingting Ren

Minerals 2025, 15(12), 1256; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15121256 - 27 Nov 2025

Viewed by 585

Abstract

The large-scale accumulation of high-sulfur lead–zinc tailings poses serious environmental and safety challenges, while the increasing shortage of traditional mineral admixtures such as fly ash and slag highlights the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. This study aims to develop a high-performance mineral admixture using lead–zinc tailings characterized by high SO₃ content and low pozzolanic activity. The effects of four activation routes—mechanical grinding, wet magnetic separation, wet magnetic separation–mechanical grinding, and mechanical grinding–high-reactivity mineral admixture synergistic modification—were systematically compared in terms of tailings fineness, SO₃ reduction, and activity index. The results indicate that single mechanical grinding can achieve the fineness requirement of Grade II admixtures specified in GB/T 1596–2017 (45 μm residue ≤ 30%), but the 28-day strength activity index only reached 58.64%, and the SO₃ content remained above the standard limit. Wet magnetic separation effectively reduced the SO₃ content to below 3.5%, and the combined process yielded a product with an activity index of up to 74.51%. Further improvement was achieved through a “mechanical grinding–high-reactivity mineral admixture synergistic modification” process, incorporating fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and silica fume (SF). Among these, SF exhibited the most pronounced synergistic effect. The optimal mixture, composed of 85.19% ground tailings and 14.81% SF, achieved the highest 28-day activity index of 76.35%. This process enables full utilization of tailings while maintaining a simplified flow, lower energy consumption, and superior product performance. The findings provide a feasible and efficient technological route for the high-value utilization of high-sulfur tailings and contribute to promoting green mining and sustainable resource development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition)

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20 pages, 4248 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the True Triaxial Unloading Mechanical Properties of Cement Tailings Backfill Under Different Intermediate Principal Stresses

by Qiang Li, Jiajian Li, Yunpeng Kou and Weidong Song

Minerals 2025, 15(11), 1227; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15111227 - 20 Nov 2025

Viewed by 770

Abstract

Engineering unloading activities during deep mineral resource extraction subject the backfill materials to complex true triaxial stress conditions, where their mechanical behavior and damage mechanisms are critical to stope stability. In this article, a true triaxial testing system was employed to conduct unloading tests under different initial intermediate principal stress (σ₂) conditions, aiming to elucidate the influence mechanism of σ₂ on strength, deformation, failure modes, and acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of the backfill, and to establish a corresponding damage constitutive model. The results demonstrate that the σ₂ governs the mechanical response and failure mode of the filling material. Within the tested range, σ₂ nonlinearly enhances both the peak stress, indicating improved load-bearing. As σ₂ increases, acoustic emission activity changes from intermittent to continuous high-intensity ringing counts. The transition from brittle to ductile fracture. Model predictions showed high agreement with experimental data, validating its applicability. This study provides a critical theoretical foundation and modeling framework for assessing the stability of backfill structures under deep well mining conditions and guiding engineering design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 4965 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Flocculation and Settling Parameters of Superfine Tailings Slurry Based on the Response Surface Method and Desirability Function

by Zhenjiang Wen, Shihu Shi, Biyao Geng, Jianxun Fu, Si Huo and Huan Zhang

Minerals 2025, 15(11), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15111216 - 18 Nov 2025

Viewed by 891

Abstract

Highly efficient flocculation and settling of tailings slurry is crucial for achieving high-concentration and low-cost backfill. Aiming to address the problem of the poor solid–liquid separation effect of superfine tailings slurry, this article improves its flocculation and settling effect by optimizing parameters. The flocculation and settling test was designed and carried out by the response surface method (RSM), with tailings slurry concentration (TSC), unit consumption of flocculant (UCF), and concentration of flocculant solution (CFS) as the influencing factors. The flocculation and settling effect was characterized by the underflow concentration (UC), settling velocity (SV), and mean chord length of floc (MCLF). A response surface regression model was established based on the test results to analyze the impact patterns of various factors and their interactions. Multi-objective optimization via the desirability function (DF) yielded optimal parameters: a TSC of 19%, a UCF of 16 g/t, and a CFS of 0.4%. Furthermore, experimental verification revealed that the relative error between the results and predicted values was within 3%. This indicates that optimizing flocculation and settling parameters has guiding significance for improving the thickening efficiency of superfine tailings, which will help optimize the tailings thickening process and reduce filling costs in mines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition)

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20 pages, 5630 KB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation Analysis Between Pore Structure and Mechanical Strength of Mine Filling Materials Based on Low-Field NMR and Fractal Theory

by Wei Wang, Yajun Wang, Weixing Lin, Long Dou, Dongrui Liu, Yuding Wang, Shitong Zhou and Yao Liu

Minerals 2025, 15(11), 1211; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15111211 - 17 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 626

Abstract

Filling mining offers significant technical advantages in controlling rock mass movement and preventing disasters. Investigating the correlation between the macro- and micro-scale characteristics of filling materials will help optimize this process. The paper analyzes the variation patterns and mechanisms of the pore structure and mechanical strength characteristics of the filling body based on low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology and fractal theory, exploring the relationship between microstructure and macroscopic features. Results indicate that as the cement-to-sand ratio or mass concentration decreases, the total pore structure count in the filling material increases, predominantly consisting of micropores that account for over 76%. The complexity of total pores, micropores, mesopores, and macropores progressively decreases. Mechanical strength exhibits a positive correlation with both the cement-to-sand ratio and mass concentration. A reduced cement-to-sand ratio diminishes hydration products, lowering the cohesive strength of tailings particles. As mass concentration increases, the internal structure of the filling body becomes denser, enhancing its mechanical properties. An increase in pore number progressively improves pore connectivity, reducing fluid flow resistance. The porosity of the pore structure exhibits a strong correlation with fractal dimension, mechanical strength, and permeability coefficient, with a coefficient of determination ranging from 0.631 to 0.996. The strength prediction model constructed using mesopore porosity and material intrinsic characteristics also demonstrated excellent accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 2532 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Mechanical and Microstructure Characteristics of Cemented Paste Backfill in Deep In Situ Environments

by Yin Chen, Zepeng Yan, Guoqiang Wang, Lijie Guo, Yunwei Zhang, Yue Zhao and Chong Jia

Minerals 2025, 15(10), 1087; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15101087 - 18 Oct 2025

Viewed by 824

Abstract

Backfilling mining methods control the surrounding pressure and ground subsidence by backfilling goaf and managing the ground pressure, providing a safety guarantee for mining in complex environments and serving as a key means of achieving the deep mining of metal minerals. However, in the design of backfill strength, material mix ratios are determined under indoor standard constant temperature and humidity conditions, which differ significantly from the in situ curing environment. Strength measurements obtained from field samples are notably higher than those from indoor test specimens. To address this issue, this study designed a curing device simulating the in situ thermal-hydraulic multi-field environment of the mining site and tested the strength and porosity of the backfill under different curing temperatures, curing pressures, and pore water pressures. The results indicate that curing pressure and pore water pressure significantly altered the pore structure of the specimens. Specifically, when the curing pressure increased to 750 kPa, the maximum pore diameter decreased from 3110.52 nm to approximately 2055 nm, accompanied by a continuous reduction in porosity. Pore water pressure exhibited a positive linear correlation with specimen porosity, which increased continuously as the pore water pressure rose. With increasing curing temperature, the strength of the backfilled specimens first increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum at 45 °C. As the curing pressure increased, the strength of the backfilled specimens rose, but the rate of increase gradually slowed. With increasing pore water pressure, the strength of the backfilled specimens showed a gradual decreasing trend. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition)

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Review

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30 pages, 22890 KB

Open AccessReview

Hydration Mechanisms and Mechanical Property Evolution of Cemented Backfill Under Diverse Thermal Environments: A Review

by Jiangwei Liu, Yuye Tan, Ziyi Zeng and Weidong Song

Minerals 2026, 16(3), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16030276 - 5 Mar 2026

Viewed by 638

Abstract

The cemented backfill mining method has progressively become the preferred mining technique for underground metal extraction due to its advantages such as environmental friendliness, high efficiency, and economic viability. The mechanical properties of the backfill are fundamental to ensuring effective strata control and structural stability within backfilled stopes. Hydration reaction serves as the critical factor in the formation of backfill mechanical properties, while temperature influences these properties by governing the progression of the hydration process. This paper systematically reviews five fundamental hydration models (NG, CEMHYD 3D, Krstulovic-Dabic, Heat of Hydration and Thermodynamic Phase Equilibrium), critically analyzing their limitations in predicting performance under extreme geothermal and cryogenic conditions. Distinct from previous reviews, this study reveals the nonlinear mapping between dynamic temperature fields and microstructural evolution. Furthermore, it incorporates recent advancements in multi-field coupling mechanisms and AI-driven strength prediction. Ultimately, this study establishes that with the emergence of advanced modeling software and machine learning algorithms, the investigation of temperature effects on backfill is poised to move toward a more comprehensive, intelligent, and refined direction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mine Backfilling Technology and Materials, 2nd Edition)

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