Search for Topics:
Title/Keyword
Journal
Submission Status
Category
 
 
Topics
Innovations and Sustainable Approaches in Mining, Metallurgy, Technology and Materials...
Submit your Manuscript Submit your Abstract Propose a Topic

Topic Menu

► Topic Menu

Topic Editors

Prof. Dr. Markus A. Reuter
1. WASM: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
2. SMS Group GmbH, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
School of Materials Science and Physics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Prof. Dr. Ljubiša Balanović
Technical Faculty in Bor, University of Belgrade, Beograd, Serbia
share announcement

Innovations and Sustainable Approaches in Mining, Metallurgy, Technology and Materials Engineering: Insights from IOC 2025

Abstract submission deadline
30 June 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
30 August 2026
Viewed by
559

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic brings together a collection of scientific contributions presented at the 56th International October Conference on Mining and Metallurgy (IOC 2025), held from 22 to 25 October 2025 at Bor Lake, Serbia.

With a long-standing tradition and strong industrial heritage, IOC 2025 gathered experts, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss the latest advancements in mining, metallurgy, and materials science. The conference highlighted the integration of innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and advanced analytical approaches aimed at improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and supporting circular economy principles.

Contributions in this Topic reflect the diverse research areas presented at the conference, including but not limited to mining, extractive metallurgy, mineral processing, metal processing, recycling technologies, advanced materials, environmental protection, and industrial engineering.

This Topic aims to showcase interdisciplinary research that bridges fundamental studies and practical applications, promoting knowledge exchange between academia and industry. We especially encourage submissions focusing on novel experimental findings, process optimization, green technologies, digitalization in mining and metallurgy, and case studies demonstrating sustainable solutions in resource extraction and material processing.

Researchers are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and methodological studies that align with the themes of IOC 2025 and contribute to shaping the future of mining and metallurgy in a more sustainable and technologically advanced direction.

Prof. Dr. Markus A. Reuter
Prof. Dr. Peizhong Feng
Prof. Dr. Ljubiša Balanović
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • mining engineering
  • extractive metallurgy
  • mineral processing
  • metal processing
  • advanced materials
  • technological engineering
  • sustainable development
  • environmental protection
  • process optimization
  • circular economy

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Metals
metals 		2.5 5.3 2011 18.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Minerals
minerals 		2.2 4.4 2011 17.7 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Mining
mining 		- 4.0 2021 22.7 Days CHF 1200 Submit

Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary platform offering a preprint service designed to facilitate the early sharing of your research. It supports and empowers your research journey from the very beginning.

MDPI Topics is collaborating with Preprints.org and has established a direct connection between MDPI journals and the platform. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by posting their preprints at Preprints.org prior to publication:

  1. Share your research immediately: disseminate your ideas prior to publication and establish priority for your work.
  2. Safeguard your intellectual contribution: Protect your ideas with a time-stamped preprint that serves as proof of your research timeline.
  3. Boost visibility and impact: Increase the reach and influence of your research by making it accessible to a global audience.
  4. Gain early feedback: Receive valuable input and insights from peers before submitting to a journal.
  5. Ensure broad indexing: Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Journals
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
22 pages, 2911 KB  
Review
Alternative Carbon Sources as Foaming Agents for Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking Slags: A Comprehensive Review
by Gabriel Evangelista Medeiros, Mario Dayvid Carbajal Ccoyllo, Rogério Navarro Correia de Siqueira and Anupama Ghosh
Minerals 2026, 16(2), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16020152 - 29 Jan 2026
Viewed by 196
Abstract
The steel industry contributes to approximately 7%–9% of global anthropogenic CO2(g) emissions, with traditional blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace (BF–BOF) routes emitting up to 1.8 tCO2 per ton of steel. In contrast, Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking, especially when integrated with hydrogen [...] Read more.
The steel industry contributes to approximately 7%–9% of global anthropogenic CO2(g) emissions, with traditional blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace (BF–BOF) routes emitting up to 1.8 tCO2 per ton of steel. In contrast, Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking, especially when integrated with hydrogen direct-reduced iron (DRI), can reduce emissions by over 40%, positioning EAFs as a key enabler of low-carbon metallurgy. However, despite its lower direct emissions, the EAF process still depends on fossil carbon sources for slag foaming and FeO reduction, which are essential for arc stability and energy efficiency. Slag foaming plays a critical role in controlling the thermal efficiency of the EAF by shielding the electric arc, reducing radiative heat losses, and stabilizing the arc’s behavior. This review examines the mechanisms of slag foaming, discussed through empirical models that consider the foaming index (Σ) and slag foaming rate as critical parameters, and highlights the influence of physical properties such as slag viscosity, surface tension, and density on gas bubble retention. Also, the work embraces the potential use of alternative carbon sources including biochar, biomass, and waste-derived materials such as plastics and rubber to replace fossil-based reductants and foaming agents in EAF operations. Finally, it discusses the use of new materials with a biological base, such as nanocellulose, to serve as reactive templates for producing nanohybrid materials, containing both oxides, which can contribute to slag basicity (MgO and/or CaO, for example), together with a reactive carbonaceous phase, derived from the organic fiber’s thermal degradation, which could contribute to slag foaming, and could replace part of the fossil fuel charge to be employed in the EAF process. In this context, the development and characterization of renewable carbonaceous materials capable of simultaneously reducing FeO and promoting slag foaming are essential to achieving net-zero steel production and enhancing the sustainability of EAF-based steelmaking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Innovations and Sustainable Approaches in Mining, Metallurgy, Technology and Materials Engineering: Insights from IOC 2025)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-1
Back to TopTop