Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Resources and Sustainable Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 9307

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alessandro Cavallo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20090 Milano, Italy
Interests: Critical Raw Materials (CRM); sustainable mining & circular economy; characterization of ore & industrial minerals; quarries and mines; recovery of tailings and mining wastes; naturally-occurring asbestos (NOA); construction and building materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Micol Bussolesi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences—DISAT, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Interests: ore deposits; critical raw materials; platinum group elements; chromitites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Raw materials and critical raw materials supply are a matter of concern and a global challenge to face sustainably (considering economic, environmental, health, and social impacts on society). The supply is still guaranteed via ore deposit exploitation, as the recycling of critical elements (e.g., REE, Li) turns out to be complex, energy-intensive, and economically unviable; consequently, mining activity is growing steadily worldwide, and modern and more efficient technologies and mining techniques need to be applied to guarantee sustainable mining.

The growing demand for raw materials can be met in several innovative ways: search for new deposits, optimization of separation and ore processing, recovery of mining and landfill waste, and innovative recycling technologies (especially for critical raw materials). It is equally important to implement the population's knowledge and social acceptance of the strategical relevance of raw materials, which are indispensable for our well-being.

For these reasons, I propose a wide-ranging topic that can be summarized as follows: “Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy”. This highly interdisciplinary theme can therefore involve a wide scientific audience, from geologists to environmental and management engineers to economists and social science experts.

Dr. Alessandro Cavallo
Dr. Micol Bussolesi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

raw materials
critical raw materials
sustainable mining
ore deposits
ore processing
extractive waste
tailings
recycling

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 3672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of an Integrated Model for Open-Pit-Mine Discontinuous Haulage System Optimization

by Miodrag Čelebić, Dragoljub Bajić, Sanja Bajić, Mirjana Banković, Duško Torbica, Aleksej Milošević and Dejan Stevanović

Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3156; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083156 - 10 Apr 2024

Viewed by 534

Abstract

The selection of the optimal equipment for discontinuous haulage systems is one of the most important decisions that need to be made when an open-pit mine is designed. There are a number of influencing factors, including natural (geological and environmental), technical, economic, and social. Some of them can be expressed numerically, in certain units of measure, while others are descriptive and can be stated by linguistic variables depending on the circumstances of the project. These factors are characterized by a high level of uncertainty, associated with both exploration and mining operations. The experience, knowledge, and expert judgment of engineers and specialists are of key importance for the management of mining processes, consistent with the issues stemming from the dynamic expansion of open-pit mines in space over time. This paper proposes an integrated model that translates all the criteria that affect the selection of the optimal solution into linguistic variables. By employing the multiple-criteria decision-making method and combining it with fuzzy logic, we developed an algorithm that addresses all the above-mentioned uncertainties inherent in various mining processes where the experience of experts forms the basis. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process is used in order to deal with trending decision problems, such as mining equipment and management system selection. The entire algorithm was applied to a real case study—the Ugljevik East 1 open-pit mine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

31 pages, 13736 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Managing Marble Quarry Waste: Opportunities and Challenges for Circular Economy Implementation

by Antonio Tazzini, Francesca Gambino, Marco Casale and Giovanna Antonella Dino

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 3056; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16073056 - 06 Apr 2024

Viewed by 994

Abstract

Marble has been a prominent natural stone exploited since ancient times, commonly employed as a building material and ornamental stone. However, the disposal of waste generated from marble extraction, particularly fine sludge, poses significant environmental challenges for the dimensional stone industry. The difficulty in managing and recovering these materials, exacerbated by local regulations and the absence of suitable recovery protocols, often leads to landfilling. This issue is exemplified by the Carrara Marble Basin in the Apuan Alps (Tuscany, Italy), where more than half of the extracted marble remains as quarry waste or debris. Modern cutting technologies have intensified the production of finer materials and sawing residue, known as “marmettola”, ranging in size from fine sand to silt. The disposal of these materials, commonly through landfilling or abandonment, has profound environmental repercussions. This research primarily aimed to carry out a preliminary physical, mineralogical, and morphological characterization of the fine waste and sludges generated from Carrara Marble exploitation. The findings reveal the high granulometric uniformity of the materials, and a nearly pure carbonate composition, suggesting potential for reuse in various industrial sectors such as paper, plastics, and pharmaceuticals production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 4153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Computer-Aided Planning for Land Development of Post-Mining Degraded Areas

by Andrzej Białas and Artur Kozłowski

Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041528 - 10 Feb 2024

Viewed by 658

Abstract

This paper concerns the revitalization of post-mining heaps using a developed software tool. Revitalizing degraded areas is crucial for sustainable development because heaps pose numerous hazards to people and the environment, and there are significant numbers of waste heaps across Europe. The applied approach enables us to consider essential factors when deciding on the heap revitalization strategy. This includes heap properties, assumed land use, and various risks to people and environment, financial, and intangible factors. The methodology addresses various revitalization aims, ranging from heap liquidation to different forms of nature restoration and industrial or energy applications. A computer-aided tool was developed based on this approach, allowing the specification of the revitalized heap and proposed revitalization alternatives. It assesses risk reduction, costs/benefits, and non-financial factors such as social, environmental, technological, and political aspects for each alternative. This provides decision-makers with input to manually select the target alternative for implementation. The revitalization planning process is supported comprehensively, and there are additional cost-, quality-, and time-related advantages due to computer aid. The authors suggest future tool enhancements, especially to extend the range of applications and better formalize the decision process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 29101 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling High-Tech Metals in Roasted Pyrite Wastes from the Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain

by Lola Yesares, José María González-Jiménez, Francisco Abel Jiménez-Cantizano, Igor González-Pérez, David Caro-Moreno and Isabel María Sánchez

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 12081; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151512081 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1022

Abstract

The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, is a large metallogenic province exploited since ancient times. As a result of historical and current mining activity, a vast volume of metallic mineral waste, mainly derived from the processing of pyrite, is still in situ and polluting the environment. A specific mine waste residuum locally known in the area as “morrongos”, which was produced during pyrite roasting mainly in the 19th century, is evaluated here in order to unravel untapped resources of high-tech metals commonly used in high-tech devices. Applying a combination of whole-rock geochemical (ICP-AES, ICPMS, FA-AAS) and single-grain mineralogical techniques (EPMA, LA-ICP-MS, FESEM, and FIB-HRTEM) on the “morrongos”, we unhide the still-present remarkable concentrations of Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, and Cu in them. The mineralogical expressions for these economic metals include oxides (hematite, magnetite, and hercynite), arsenates, sulfates of the jarosite group, native metals, and, to a lesser extent, relictic sulfides. This first-ever estimation of these economic metals in this type of residue allows their revalorization, highlighting them as suitable sources for the exploitation and recovery of metals necessary for the clean energy transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 4962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Large Scale Trials of Waste Mine Burden Backfilling in Pit Lakes: Impact on Sulphate Content and Suspended Solids in Water

by Claudio Oggeri, Raffaele Vinai, Taddeo Maria Fenoglio and Alberto Godio

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7387; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097387 - 28 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1144

Abstract

The paper describes the results obtained from a large-scale trial designed to assess the impact of the backfilling of waste mine burden in an exhausted pit on the quality of lake water. The trial aimed at understanding the interaction between groundwater and clay and silty sand soils composing the overburden material. The two main environmental concerns related to the turbidity of the water and the concentration of sulphate ions. Tests were designed to (I) assess the interaction between soil and water; (II) measure the turbidity of water, related to the amount of solid particles in suspension; (III) observe the sedimentation of fine particles; (IV) measure the concentration of sulphate ions during backfilling and water pumping operations; and (V) validate an analytical model for the prediction of sulphate quantity in water. The main results indicated that the basin was capable to retain particles with sizes in the order of diameters that were nearly 10 microns. The water pumping was responsible for a relevant motion of fine particles (diameter less than 2 μm); this effect impacted on the turbidity level observed at the outflow in a relevant way. On the other hand, the test indicated that the estimation of the release of sulphate ions in the water was heavily affected by a proper assumption of the average background values of the concentration of sulphate ions in the water before the dumping activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1156 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MagWasteVal Project—Towards Sustainability of Mining Waste

by Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Evangelia Pagona, Manassis Mitrakas and Anastasios Zouboulis

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1648; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021648 - 14 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1235

Abstract

In the direction of sustainable mining solid waste management and eventually zero-waste production, the MagWasteVal research program aimed to achieve the proper handling of massive quantities of extractive mining waste originating from the magnesite mines after the enrichment process of useful ore. The main objectives of this project were both the investigation of geochemical variables affecting the serpentinization process (degradation) and the respected exploitation and further valorization of stocked-pilled solid (inert) wastes in the mining area. The study of thermal treatment (considering the heating duration and heating temperature) and the addition of various additives (alumina, chromite ore, run of mine, iron oxide, and magnesia) showed that the optimum upgrade for the mining waste samples occurs when a combination of magnesia (according to the optimum defined molar ratio: [MgO] + [FeO])/[SiO₂] = 2) and iron oxide of approximately 2.5% is applied at both 1300 and 1600 °C for 120 min. The final products of the MagWasteVal project may have various potential applications, even on a large scale, for the production of alternative refractory materials/services, substituting other raw materials, and presenting both economic and environmental benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 1159 KiB

Open AccessReview

Innovative Resource Recovery from Industrial Sites: A Critical Review

by Victoria E. Huntington, Frédéric Coulon and Stuart T. Wagland

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010489 - 28 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2837

Abstract

Global net-zero pledges are instigating a societal shift from a fossil-fuel-based economy to renewables. This change facilitates the use of batteries, solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbines, etc., all of which are underpinned by critical metals. Raw metal extraction is not renewable and environmental pledges made by the government will not be met if this continues. Historic industrial sites contain vast waste stocks. These sites already have an established infrastructure for resource extraction. Applying green solvents and deep eutectic solvents (DES) to such sites for resource recovery alleviates pressure on existing raw extraction processes whilst generating more immediate stores of critical metal along with relatively insignificant environmental impacts. Existing remediation/recovery options have varying metal recovery efficiencies usually combined with high operating costs. Using novel green solvents, such as DES, on historic sites provides an opportunity to recover metals from waste that ordinarily would be looked over. Increased extraction of critical metals from waste material within the UK will reduce reliance on imported metals and improve critical metals security of supply to UK markets and the wider economy The use of these solvents provides an environmentally friendly alternative but also regenerates the legacy of waste from historic industrial sites and consequently implements a circular economy. Adopting the use of green solvents will meet EU environmental pledges, and boost the economy, by recovering metals from legacy sites to meet exponentially growing metal demand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sustainable Mining and Circular Economy

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (7 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI