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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Gemstone Identification and Characterization: Advances, Technologies and Analytical Challenges in the Modern Gemstone Trade
edited by Maya Musa, and Fabio D’Amico
submission deadline 15 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 70 | Submission Open
Keywords: proof of origin; laboratory-grown diamond; inclusions; treatments; nomenclature; Artificial Intelligence
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
Characterization and Provenance Analysis of Ancient Stone Materials: Insights from Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
edited by
submission deadline 20 Nov 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 9008 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage; analytical techniques; archaeometry; natural and ornamental stone; lithic materials; marble artefacts; ancient quarries; provenance studies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Redox Reactivity of Iron Minerals in the Geosphere, 2nd Edition
edited by , Lucie Stetten and Maxim I. Boyanov
submission deadline 20 Nov 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4807 | Submission Open
Keywords: biomineralization; iron oxides; iron sulfides; transformation; contaminants; mineralization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Igneous Rocks and Related Mineral Deposits
edited by Claire E. Wade and
submission deadline 21 Nov 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 4385 | Submission Open
Keywords: geochemistry; geochronology; mineralisation; petrogenesis and metallogenesis; magma fertility; magmatic ore deposits; porphyry deposits; hydrothermal ore deposits
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Mineralization and Geochemistry of VMS Deposits submission deadline 22 Nov 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 8012 | Submission Open
Keywords: sulfides and sulfosalts; base; precious; strategic; and critical metals; massive; stringer ore; polymetallic mineralization; host lithologies; geotectonic setting
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Particle–Bubble Interactions in the Flotation Process
edited by Guichao Wang and
submission deadline 22 Nov 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2574 | Submission Open
Keywords: flotation; turbulence effects; bubble– particle collision; attachment; detachment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Advances in Understanding the Incorporation and Preservation of Isotope Proxies
edited by Anja B. Frank and
submission deadline 25 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 107 | Submission Open
Keywords: isotope proxies; proxy behavior; isotope fractionation; diagenesis; vital effects; paleoenvironment; paleoclimate
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Geochemical Controls on the Generation and Transformation of Carbon in Rocks
edited by , and Yu Zhang
submission deadline 26 Nov 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 764 | Submission Open
Keywords: metasedimentary rocks; coal including coal fires; carbonaceous shale; carbonate; carbon isotope systematics; origin and evolution of life; global carbon cycling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Kinetic Characterization and Its Applications in Mineral Processing
edited by , and Diego Mesa
submission deadline 28 Nov 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 1095 | Submission Open
Keywords: flotation kinetics; breakage rate; flotation rate; selection function; scale-up; time-recovery data; flotation modelling; comminution modelling; simulation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Mineralogy of Iron Ore Sinters, 3rd Edition submission deadline 28 Nov 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 386 | Submission Open
Keywords: sinter mineralogy; crystal structures; phase equilibria; characterisation; formation mechanisms
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Potentially Toxic Elements: Source, Distribution, Risk Assessment and Remediation, 2nd Edition submission deadline 28 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 90 | Submission Open
Keywords: guiding values; heavy metals; metalloids; rare earth elements; geochemical mapping; environmental pollution; ecological risks; human health risks; pollution remediation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Submarine Volcanism, Related Hydrothermal Systems and Mineralizations
edited by , Tamás Sági and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 11658 | Submission Open
Keywords: geochemistry of submarine fluid-rock interaction processes; hydrothermal mineral paragenesis of submarine fluid-rock interaction processes; advances in understanding VMS ore formation processes; petrology and geochemistry of submarine volcanites; alteration of mineral assemblages in submarine volcanites; petrology and geochemistry of low- to medium-grade metamorphic rocks of ocean floor origin; petrogenetic significance of submarine lava flows; methods to find hidden VMS deposits
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Advances in Physical Separation of Gold, Iron Ore and Rare Earth Minerals submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 10886 | Submission Open
Keywords: physical separation; mineral processing; gold; iron; rare earth elements; sustainable recovery of metals; impact of particle morphology (shape; roughness; and surface properties) on beneficiation; key challenges related to gravity; magnetic; and electrostatic separations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Acid Mine Drainage: A Challenge or an Opportunity?
edited by , and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 10246 | Submission Open
Keywords: water quality; valuable products; brine treatment; sludge processing; feasibility; acid mine drainage
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Clay Minerals: From Paleoclimatic and Paleoenvironmental Indicators to Industrial Raw Materials
edited by Elisa Laita, and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 7 articles | Viewed by 5579 | Submission Open
Keywords: paleoclimate; paleoenvironment; weathering; industrial clays; kaolin; fibrous clays
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Recent Advances in Ore Comminution
edited by Lixia Li, Lanhao Wang, Jiwei Lu and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 5291 | Submission Open
Keywords: comminution technology; energy efficiency; sorting; comminution circuit design; automation control; liberation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Polymetallic Ore Deposits submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4484 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymetallic deposits; ore mineralogy; geochemistry; ore-forming process; process mineralogy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Mineralogical, Petrophysical and Hydromechanical Properties of Reservoirs and Caprocks, 2nd Edition
edited by , , Zhenhua Jing and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 4062 | Submission Open
Keywords: reservoir characterization; caprock integrity; mineralogical control; petrophysical properties; hydromechanical coupling; shale gas; gas hydrate; hydrogen storage; CO2 sequestration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Grinding Chemistry and Its Impact on Downstream Processing
edited by Chris Greet, and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3756 | Submission Open
Keywords: grinding media; mineralogy; collector adsorption; grade and recovery; gold leaching; cyanide consumption; pulp chemistry; surface chemistry
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Mineralogy of Porphyry Systems: Genesis, Exploration, and Applications
edited by
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 2908 | Submission Open
Keywords: porphyry systems; genesis; exploration; applications; in situ micro-analysis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Thin Sections: The Past Serving The Future submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2272 | Submission Open
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
Igneous Rocks as Archives of Earth's Geological History: Magma Processes and Continental Crust Evolution
edited by Takeshi Hasegawa, Indranova Suhendro and Kazuya Shimooka
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 744 | Submission Open
Keywords: igneous rock; continental crust; magma process; geochronology; volcanism; plutonism
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Innovations in Adsorption Processes and Adsorbent Materials for Mineral Recovery and Environmental Remediation
edited by and Dison S. P. Franco
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 508 | Submission Open
Keywords: adsorption processes; adsorbent materials; mineral recovery; environmental remediation; sustainable technologies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
Adsorption Properties of Clay and Its Applications in Buildings submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 410 | Submission Open
Keywords: bio and mineral stabilization of clay-based materials; clay-based building products; earth construction; alkali activation of clays; hygrothermal regulation; moisture adsorption; mineralogy of clays; pollutant adsorption; reusability; recyclability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Scientific Disposal and Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 381 | Submission Open
Keywords: environmental impact; mining wastewater; mine waste; solid waste disposal; sustainable development; environmental assessment; recycling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Geochemistry, Petrogenesis and Exploration of Li-Rich Granite-Pegmatite Systems
edited by , Benedikt Steiner and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 296 | Submission Open
Keywords: granite and pegmatite; lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT); residual melts; highly evolved peraluminous silicic melts; high-grade metamorphism; anatexis; greisen alteration; spodumene– petalite– lepidolite– zinnwaldite; incompatible elements; rare metal exploration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Optimization and Kinetics of Selective Extraction and Recovery of Gold from Primary and Secondary Resources
edited by , Atefeh Azizitorghabeh and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 274 | Submission Open
Keywords: gold extraction; gold recovery; optimization gold extraction; kinetics and modeling; gold primary resources; gold secondary resources; sustainable practices; gold mineral processing; environmental impact; bio-oxidation pretreatment; refractory gold-bearing ores
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Feature Papers in Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications 2025
edited by
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 207 | Submission Open
Keywords: geochemical surveys; geological surveys; geophysical surveys; mineral exploration; remote sensing; rock physics; mineral deposits
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Critical Mineral Exploration: Innovations, Challenges and Future Directions
edited by Chad D. Deering
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 166 | Submission Open
Keywords: critical minerals; mineral exploration; economic geology; strategic resource assessment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Heavy Metal and Rare Earth Element Pollution in Soil and Water: Sources, Geochemical Behaviors and Ecological Effects, 2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 157 | Submission Open
Keywords: HM and REE pollution; soil and water ecosystem; health risk assessment; environmental loads; speciation distribution; modelling of pollutant transportation; geochemical background; weathering and soil-water interaction; municipal and mining waste; remediation technique
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Tectonic Setting and Provenance of Sedimentary Rocks submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 125 | Submission Open
Keywords: tectonic setting; provenance; chemostratigraphy; geochemistry; geochronology; sedimentary rocks
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Geochronology of W-Sn Polymetallic Deposits, 2nd Edition
edited by , Rongqing Zhang and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 117 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineralization-related granite; scheelite; cassiterite; wolframite; in situ analysis; W-Sn deposits
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Recent Progress in the Processing of Rare-Earth Ore
edited by Fang Zhou, Yuefei Zhang and Zhao Cao
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 78 | Submission Open
Keywords: rare earth; rare-earth ore; leaching; swelling; seepage
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Synthesis, Characterization and Utilization of Clay and Clay Composites: Knowledge in Practice, 2nd Edition
edited by , Adolph Anga Muleja and Thabo Falayi
submission deadline 1 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 242 | Submission Open
Keywords: clay and clay minerals; composite materials; removal of pollutants; toxic elements; physicochemical properties; geochemical characteristics; clay/waste composite materials; ceramics; cosmetics; construction materials; prediction techniques
(This special issue belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Tracing Precambrian Pathways: Neoproterozoic Rocks and Their Global Context
edited by Junyong Li, Jinlong Yao and Guangyi Wei
submission deadline 19 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2968 | Submission Open
Keywords: petrogenesis; supercontinent; deep-crust process; neoproterozoic orogenesis; climate and marine environment; neoproterozoic resource effects
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Advances on Fine Particles and Bubbles Flotation, 2nd Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 20 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3409 | Submission Open
Keywords: fine particle flotation; microbubble flotation; bubble-particle flotation; bubble formation; bubble property; bubble modification; flocculation; agglomeration; interface
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Design, Modeling, Optimization and Control of Flotation Process, 2nd Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 20 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 55 | Submission Open
Keywords: froth flotation processes; optimization tools; modelling and simulation; froth control; cell design; flotation kinetics; modification and improvement of flotation circuits; gas dispersion; RTD measurement and modelling; particle– bubble modelling; first principal modelling; experimental design; mechanical and column cells; pneumatic flotation cells; experimental design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Recent Advances in Separation Techniques for Critical Minerals/Metals, Circular Economy, and Sustainability
edited by , , and Mayumi Ito
submission deadline 25 Dec 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 6603 | Submission Open
Keywords: mineral processing/beneficiation; physical separation; selective comminution; size/shape separation; gravity separation; magnetic separation; electrical separation; flotation; extractive metallurgy; leaching; purification; solvent extraction; precipitation; cementation; adsorption; critical minerals/metals; primary/secondary resources; recycling; circular economy; environment; sustainability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Volcanism and Oil–Gas Reservoirs—Geology and Geochemistry
edited by Zhiyong Ni, Zhonghong Chen and Yunfeng Zhang
submission deadline 30 Dec 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2157 | Submission Open
Keywords: volcanic rock reservoir; volcanic rock facies; migration of oil and gas; geophysical exploration techniques
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Sulfide Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 77 | Submission Open
Keywords: sulfides; sulfide mineralogy; sulfide geochemistry; ore deposits; trace elements; crystal structure; biomineralization and biominerals; mineral processing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Advances in Precious and Critical Mineral Beneficiation and Extraction submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 7 articles | Viewed by 18855 | Submission Open
Keywords: precious and critical minerals; complex ore bodies; physical separation and beneficiation; biomining; hydrometallurgy; electrometallurgy; solvent extraction and ion exchange; wastes and secondary metal sources; recycling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Structure and Origin of Gold Mineralization: From Primary to Placer Gold Deposits submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 8 articles | Viewed by 17589 | Submission Open
Keywords: gold prospecting; biogeochemistry of gold; geochemical analysis; gold deposits; geophysical survey; remote sensing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Tailings Dams: Design, Characterization, Monitoring, and Risk Assessment, 2nd Edition submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 15748 | Submission Open
Keywords: characterization of tailings deposits; geotechnical and condition monitoring of tailings dams; design issues and parameters of tailings dams; geotechnical and managerial risk assessment of tailings projects; case histories of failures or good design practices; modeling and simulation of tailings flows resulting from dam failure; dewatering technologies; closure of mine tailings dams; standards and guidelines; innovative tailings management approaches; environmental issues related to active/closed dams (such as dust emission; etc.)
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Advances in Mantle–Crust Interactions for Petrogenesis and Ore-Forming Processes
edited by Feng Huang, Liang Guo, Xiyao Li, and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 13 articles | Viewed by 12632 | Submission Open
Keywords: mantle– crust interactions; petrology; geochemistry; magmatic evolution; mineralization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Petrology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Modeling and Mapping of Volcanic/Igneous Reservoirs and Analog Volcanoes submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 9622 | Submission Open
Keywords: reservoir classification; reservoir characterization; reservoir exploration; reservoir inversion; reservoir space; facies architecture; petrophysics; volcanology; volcanostratigraphy; modelling; mapping
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Recent Advances in Deep Ore Prospecting
edited by and Juzhi Deng
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 9304 | Submission Open
Keywords: deep ore prospecting; advances in geophysics exploration; 3D geological modelling; mineral system exploration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
Critical Metal Minerals, 2nd Edition
edited by , Ruoshi Jin, , , Yinhang Cheng, and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 6933 | Submission Open
Keywords: critical metals; geologic characteristics and setting; geochemical exploration; statistical data analysis; mineral geochemistry; petrogenesis and ore genesis; 3D modeling; resource assessment; mineral processing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Deposits)
Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy: Application for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Ore Deposits submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5108 | Submission Open
Keywords: environments and mineral resources; elemental geochemistry; whole rock mineralogy; reservoir mineralogical characteristics; ore mineralogical composition; source rock evaluation; hydrocarbon exploration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry)
Waste Valorization: Recycling and Recovery of Critical and Strategic Metals
edited by Elif Emil Kaya, and Duygu Yilmaz
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4868 | Submission Open
Keywords: recycling and utilization of waste and industrial by-product; extraction of critical and strategic metals from mineral waste; EoL products; and industrial by-products; hydrometallurgy; pyrometallurgy; electrometallurgy; leaching; precipitation; solvent extraction; melting; hydrogen/metallothermic reduction; thermodynamical modeling and process simulations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Applied to Determination of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4764 | Submission Open
Keywords: REE detection; laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy; in situ analytical techniques; i.e.; LIBS; atomic emission spectroscopy; rare earth element determination; material characterization techniques; LIBS applications for REEs
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals)
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