Minerals MDPI

🚀 New Open Access Systematic Review Published in Minerals

📘 Application of Hydrogeochemistry in Mineral Exploration: A Systematic Review of Global Practices, Emerging Trends, and Future Directions

✍️ By Joseph Ndago Amoldago and Emmanuel Daanoba Sunkari, PhD Sunkari

🏛️ Affiliations:

Sir Padampat Singhania University, India

University of Johannesburg, South Africa

🌍 This comprehensive review highlights the growing role of hydrogeochemistry in mineral exploration, covering global practices, emerging trends, and future research directions for sustainable resource discovery.

👏 Congratulations to the authors on this valuable contribution to the field of mineral exploration and geochemistry.

We are thrilled to announce that Minerals has achieved a new CiteScore of 4.9 (2025), marking an 11.4% increase from last year. This is our 7th consecutive year of growth, and we proudly retain our Q1 ranking in the 'Geology' category.

A heartfelt thank you to our authors, reviewers, Guest Editors, and Editorial Board members for your invaluable contributions and unwavering support. Your dedication continues to drive our journal's success.

🦴🌿 Call for Papers – Special Issue in Minerals

Biomineralization-Inspired Functional Materials: Green Processing and Emerging Applications

Nature has long inspired the design of advanced materials. This Special Issue explores how biomineralization principles can drive the development of sustainable, high-performance functional materials for applications ranging from biomedicine to environmental technologies.

We invite researchers to submit original research articles and reviews covering topics such as:

🔹 Biomineralization-inspired materials and processes
🔹 Functionalized apatites and calcium phosphate-based materials
🔹 Green and sustainable synthesis routes
🔹 Bioceramics and bone regeneration applications
🔹 Process optimization and quality-by-design approaches
🔹 Emerging biomedical and industrial applications

Guest Editors:
👩‍🔬 Prof. Dr. Soumia Belouafa
👨‍🔬 Dr. Sergey V. Dorozhkin

📅 Submission Deadline: 31 January 2027

We look forward to receiving your latest research contributions and advancing this exciting interdisciplinary field together.

🚀 New Open Access Article Published in Minerals

📘 Geostatistical Assessment of Critical Raw Materials in Nine Mining and Metallurgical Waste Types from the Cartagena–La Unión District (SE Spain)

✍️ By Ángel Brime Barrios, Alberto Alcolea, Ana Méndez, and Roberto Rodríguez-Pacheco

🏛️ Affiliations

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España

🔍 This study investigates the distribution of critical raw materials (CRMs) across nine mining and metallurgical waste types from the historic Cartagena–La Unión Mining District.

📊 Through advanced geostatistical analysis, the authors identify waste streams with significant CRM potential, demonstrating how legacy mining residues can become valuable secondary resources.

♻️ The findings support sustainable resource management, circular economy strategies, and the recovery of critical materials essential for the energy transition.

🌍 Meet Us at AET CÁCERES 2026!

📅 8–11 June 2026

📍 Cáceres, Spain

📌 Booth #4

The Minerals team will attend AET CÁCERES 2026 as an exhibitor, joining researchers and professionals working across geosciences, environmental sciences, engineering, and data-driven technologies.

Key topics include:

🔹 Big GeoDATA and geoscience data systems

🔹 Natural hazards and risk assessment

🔹 Climate and meteorological impacts

🔹 Hydrological sciences and water resources

🔹 Remote sensing and observation technologies

🔹 Smart cities and urban development

🔹 Civil and industrial engineering applications

📚 Represented MDPI Journals:

Minerals, Geomatics MDPI, Remote Sensing MDPI, Sensors MDPI, Atmosphere MDPI, Land MDPI, AgriEngineering MDPI, GeoHazards MDPI, Climate MDPI, Geographies MDPI, ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (IJGI), Hydrology MDPI, Smart Cities MDPI, Glacies MDPI, Geosciences MDPI, and Earth MDPI.

🤝 Visit us at Booth #4 to discuss publishing opportunities, recent research developments, and potential collaborations.

For more information about the conference, visit: AET CÁCERES 2026 Website

🚀 We are pleased to welcome a new Editorial Board Member to Minerals:

👩‍🔬 Dr. Esther Santofimia

Dr. Santofimia joins the Editorial Board for the Section “Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry” and is affiliated with the Marine Geology Resources and Extreme Environments, Geological Survey of Spain (IGME-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.

🔬 Her research interests include:

biogeochemistry; environmental geochemistry and mineralogy; biomineralization; hydrogeochemistry; extreme environments; Fe precipitates; SEM; EPMA; critical raw materials; acid mine drainage; biomining and biotechnological applications; hydrothermal systems.

We warmly welcome Dr. Santofimia to the Minerals Editorial Board and look forward to her valuable contributions to the journal.

🚀 New Open Access Article Published in Minerals

📘 “Lithium Replenishment by Percolative Reactive Fluid Flow During Crystallization of Poorly Zoned Spodumene Pegmatites: An Example from the Leinster Pegmatite Belt, SE Ireland”

✍️ By Louis R. G. Penfound-Marks, Ben Williamson and Julian Menuge

Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter; School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, University College Dublin,iCRAG Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences,

🔬 This study investigates lithium replenishment processes during pegmatite crystallization in the Leinster Pegmatite Belt, highlighting the role of reactive fluid flow in sustaining spodumene growth in poorly zoned pegmatites.

📖 https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/16/5/467

🚀 New Issue of Minerals Released — Volume 16, Issue 5 (May 2026)

We are pleased to announce the publication of 128 articles in the latest issue of Minerals.

📘 Cover Story:

“Characterization and Flotation of a Complex Low-Grade Copper Ore: Implications of Collector Chemistry on Gangue Selectivity”

✍️ By Theophilus Amos-Judge, Giang Nguyen, George Abaka-Wood, and Richmond Asamoah

🔬 This study explores how collector chemistry affects gangue selectivity during flotation of a complex low-grade copper ore from the Mt. Gunson deposit. Using mineralogical characterization, flotation experiments, zeta potential analysis, and UV–Vis spectroscopy, the authors compare potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) and sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX).

Key findings:

✔️ PAX achieved higher copper recovery

✔️ SIBX showed improved selectivity in muscovite-rich gangue systems

✔️ Gangue–collector interactions play a critical role in flotation performance

📖 Read the cover story here:

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/16/5/472

We are pleased to welcome a new Editorial Board Member to Minerals:

👨‍🔬 Martin Rudolph

Dr. Rudolph will support as Section Board Member of section: "Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy" and is affiliated with the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf.

🔬 His research interests include:

mineral processing; froth flotation; surface science; particle technology; colloids and interfaces; AFM; and nanoparticles.

We are delighted to have Dr. Rudolph join the Editorial Board and look forward to his valuable contributions to the journal and scientific community.

🚀 New Open Access Editor’s Choice Review in Minerals

We are pleased to highlight a new Editor’s Choice publication:

📘 “The Conservation of Architectural Heritage Structures Built with Tuff and Coral Rock: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis of Geopolymer Formulation, Application, Compatibility and Durability”

✍️ Kent Benedict Aleonar Salisid, Raul Lucero Jr., Reymarvelos Oros, Mylah Villacorte-Tabelin, Theerayut Phengsaart, Shengguo Xue, Jiaqing Zeng, Ivy Corazon A. Mangaya-ay, Takahiko Arima, Ilhwan Park, Mayumi Ito, Sanghee Jeon, and Carlito Baltazar Tabelin

🏫 Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Chulalongkorn University, Central South University, Guizhou University, Hokkaido University, Akita University, and collaborating institutions.

🔬 This systematic review explores the conservation of architectural heritage structures constructed with tuff and coral rock, with a strong focus on geopolymer technologies. The study evaluates geopolymer formulation strategies, compatibility with historical materials, durability performance, and current research trends through bibliometric analysis.

📖 The review provides valuable insights for researchers and conservation specialists working on sustainable restoration materials and the long-term preservation of culturally significant heritage structures.

🌍 Topics covered include:

• Geopolymer-based conservation materials

• Heritage structure restoration

• Tuff and coral rock durability

• Compatibility assessment

• Sustainable construction and preservation technologies

• Bibliometric trends in conservation research

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/16/4/426