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Selected Papers from the 1st International Conference – Mines of...
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Selected Papers from the 1st International Conference – Mines of the Future

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2018) | Viewed by 47098

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Bernd Lottermoser

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
Interests: digital transformation in mining; critical raw materials; sustainability; mine wastes; environmental indicators
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Modern mining needs to be profitable, it should operate with environmental integrity, be considerate of social concerns and be supported by effective government systems. At the same time, mining companies face operational challenges. Such challenges will only be solved through very important changes, in the way the mining sector engages with society, uses energy, protects the environment, educates professionals and pursues innovations. Mines of the future will need to be different to those of today.

The key objective of the 1st International Conference Mines of the Future is to share the latest developments on mining expertise, activities, developments and research that support mines of the future. The main topics will be

  • Technological advances and innovation
  • Best practices and benchmarking
  • Responsible and sustainable mining

We invite professionals from the mining industry and practitioners from consulting companies, equipment suppliers and software providers, people from research institutions and government agencies as well as academic scholars and researchers to attend this conference. We are cordially inviting you to join us at the conference and also to submit your manuscript to the Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Bernd Lottermoser
Guest Editor

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. 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

  • mineral resources
  • mining technologies
  • responsible mining

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 3269 KiB  
Article
Dimension and Crushed Stones Extraction as a Source of Social and Environmental Conflicts in Poland
by Justyna Górniak-Zimroz and Katarzyna Pactwa
Minerals 2018, 8(10), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8100453 - 15 Oct 2018
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2926
Abstract
Crushed and dimension stones, which include 33 lithological varieties among igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks and sedimentary rocks, are mainly located in the southern and south-western part of Poland. Demand for this group of minerals is continuously high, which results from conducted and planned [...] Read more.
Crushed and dimension stones, which include 33 lithological varieties among igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks and sedimentary rocks, are mainly located in the southern and south-western part of Poland. Demand for this group of minerals is continuously high, which results from conducted and planned infrastructural investments. Mining activity is associated with interference in the natural environment. Negative consequences of exploitation include, among others: Land surface deformations, and the pollution of the soil, air, and water. In many cases, the extraction of minerals also leads to the liquidation of housing and transportation infrastructure located in the mining area, as well as to reducing the value of real estate in the immediate vicinity of the deposit or to increase in the level of stress among local residents, who are exposed to noise, which causes growing social conflicts in areas designated for exploitation. Thus, the awareness of negative effects of undertaking open-cast mining leads to the conflicts between various groups of stakeholders (residents, environmental organizations, mining entrepreneurs). Through the use of multi-criteria evaluation, this article identifies the places of potential social and environmental conflicts resulting from the planned mining activity in three areas of the densest occurrence of the analysed deposits (Lower Silesia Province, Lesser Poland Province and Świętokrzyskie Province). The assessment of lands over the deposits recognized initially and in detail was proposed, determining the degree of their accessibility. Due to the proposed method, it’s possible to obtain results of the classification of each fragment of the analysed deposit, as well as the surroundings of such deposit at any distance from it, within the boundaries of analysed area. Information may be made available to users of the deposits, mining enterprises interested in exploitation of the deposits or administration responsible for issuing decisions regarding concessions for exploitations of the deposits, so that they have knowledge about conflict areas in the region, resulting from the impact of planned mining activity on life and health of the people and on the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 1st International Conference – Mines of the Future)
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10 pages, 7273 KiB  
Article
Critical Coalescence Concentration (CCC) for Surfactants in Aqueous Solutions
by Danuta Szyszka
Minerals 2018, 8(10), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8100431 - 1 Oct 2018
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4333
Abstract
This paper presents results of tests performed to determine the minimum concentration of a surfactant used at which the probability of occurrence of coalescence of air bubbles during flotation is low. Tests of the coalescence phenomenon were carried out using selected flotation frothing [...] Read more.
This paper presents results of tests performed to determine the minimum concentration of a surfactant used at which the probability of occurrence of coalescence of air bubbles during flotation is low. Tests of the coalescence phenomenon were carried out using selected flotation frothing agents such as poly(ethylene glycol) butyl ethers, which are the ingredients of industrial flotation frothers known under the brand name of CORFLOT. Studies were carried out for three successive butyl ethers in the homologous series: ethylene glycol butyl ether (C4E1), diethylene glycol butyl ether (C4E2), triethylene glycol butyl ether (C4E3). Critical coalescence concentration (CCC) surfactant values were determined using the linear regression method. The investigation proved the existence of a clear relationship between the number of ethylene glycol groups in the ether molecule CnH2n+2(OC2O5)nOH and the value of the CCC. The results obtained show a correlation between the CCC values and the molecular weights (MW) of the tested frothers. This article shows the relationship between CCC value and hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB)/MW for the family of polyglycol ethers. Results show the correlation between the critical coalescence concentration and the value of HLB index, being the measure of hydrophilic–lipophilic balance of surfactants (such as flotation frothers), expressed by the weight ratio of hydrophilic portion of the surfactant molecule and its molecular weight. Histograms of air bubbles created a distribution curve similar to the Gauss distribution pattern. The average diameter of air bubbles tends to decrease along with increasing concentration of the tested surfactants. Two characteristic zones that may be distinguished on the graphs show the relationship between Sauter mean diameter and frother concentration. The tests carried out demonstrate that the critical coalescence concentration may be used to characterize the flotation process, as, knowing the CCC values of the frothers used, we are able to control the consumption of foaming agents during mineral processing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 1st International Conference – Mines of the Future)
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22 pages, 3185 KiB  
Article
Striving Toward a Circular Economy for Phosphorus: The Role of Phosphate Rock Mining
by Bernhard Geissler, Ludwig Hermann, Michael C. Mew and Gerald Steiner
Minerals 2018, 8(9), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8090395 - 8 Sep 2018
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 10345
Abstract
As an element, phosphorus (P) is one of a kind. While it is essential for all life on Earth, phosphorus is neither substitutable nor infinite especially in terms of highly concentrated phosphate rock deposits. Society as a whole—and key stakeholders in particular—must build [...] Read more.
As an element, phosphorus (P) is one of a kind. While it is essential for all life on Earth, phosphorus is neither substitutable nor infinite especially in terms of highly concentrated phosphate rock deposits. Society as a whole—and key stakeholders in particular—must build on and extend the idea of a linear system that begins with exploration, continues with extraction and processing, and ends with the application of fertilizers, by applying mechanisms of circularity. The efficient and sustainable utilization of P including intra-generational and intergenerational fairness requires the recognition of its dissipative structure as an important first step. With its Manifesto for a Resource-Efficient Europe, the European Commission acknowledged the inevitability of the transition toward a regenerative Circular Economy (CE). The concept of a CE evolves around the avoidance of losses, which can be found all along the P supply chain in varying degrees of magnitude and leads to total nutrient-use efficiencies as low as 5% to 10%. This makes P a prime target for moving toward a circular economy. While common state-of-the-art work addresses mostly the loop (i.e., production, use, collection, and recycling) itself, we are discussing the current role of raw materials “feeding” the loop with respect to the mining phase. From a resilience perspective, the aim must be to keep every P atom flowing and circulating within our economy for as long as possible. Hereby, every measure needs to be considered under the principle of proportionality in terms of sustainable development. Therefore, changes to the current approach in the form of multidimensional innovation (e.g., products, processes, and structures) must be considered from various perspectives including technological, geological, and economic aspects. The economic framework conditions, in particular, determine the cut-off between valuable product and “waste”. We build our arguments on the “Phosphate Rock Mining–Innovation Nexus” and illustrate potential best-practice examples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 1st International Conference – Mines of the Future)
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16 pages, 2718 KiB  
Article
Quantitative and Qualitative Research on the Waste from the Mining of Rock Raw Materials in Lower Silesia
by Urszula Kaźmierczak, Jan Blachowski, Justyna Górniak-Zimroz and Herbert Wirth
Minerals 2018, 8(9), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8090375 - 30 Aug 2018
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6633
Abstract
The Lower Silesia area in SW Poland is characterized by a geological structure that is conducive to mining activity. The exploitation of rock raw materials plays an important role in this sector of the economy. By the end of 2017, there were in [...] Read more.
The Lower Silesia area in SW Poland is characterized by a geological structure that is conducive to mining activity. The exploitation of rock raw materials plays an important role in this sector of the economy. By the end of 2017, there were in total approximately 400 current concessions for the exploitation of rock raw materials in the analysed area (Polish Geological Institute, MIDAS database—Management and Protection System of Polish Mineral Resources). The conducted mining activity results in waste, which in the greatest amount occurs in the process of obtaining crushed road and construction aggregates, natural aggregates, carbonate raw materials for the cement and lime industry, as well as stone elements for construction and road engineering. At the end of 2016, the mining plants accumulated 26,569,600 Mg of waste. As part of the European Regions Toward Circular Economy (CircE) project, research was conducted on the volume and composition of the mining waste of rock raw materials in the years 2010–2016 within Lower Silesia. This research used the methods of statistical, descriptive and spatial analysis to identify mining plants with the highest potential for using their wastes. In the course of this study, 6 mining plants with the highest potential of using their waste for industrial production purposes were selected. In order to objectively select these plants, the methodology of qualitative multi-criteria analysis was developed, and 7 criteria were selected for assessing the economic potential of using waste from the mining of rock raw materials. An additional result of this research is a database and graphical presentation of changes in the spatial distribution of generated waste in the Lower Silesia region in the years ranging from 2010 to 2016. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 1st International Conference – Mines of the Future)
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16 pages, 3707 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Spectral Interferences on Critical Element Determination with Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF)
by Daniela Gallhofer and Bernd G. Lottermoser
Minerals 2018, 8(8), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8080320 - 27 Jul 2018
Cited by 55 | Viewed by 8695
Abstract
Field portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometers are routinely used in mineral resources studies. To date, mineral resources studies have largely focussed on the application of pXRF to the exploration for deposits of base and precious metals. By contrast, studies using pXRF for the [...] Read more.
Field portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometers are routinely used in mineral resources studies. To date, mineral resources studies have largely focussed on the application of pXRF to the exploration for deposits of base and precious metals. By contrast, studies using pXRF for the quantification of critical elements in geological materials are scarce since these elements are difficult to determine with energy-dispersive pXRF technology. This study explores the capability of pXRF spectrometers to detect and quantify critical elements (Ba, P, Nb, V, Co, REE, W, Bi, Hf, and Ta) in certified reference materials (CRMs). While precision of many critical elements is acceptable (<20% RSD), accuracy can be poor (>50% difference) when using pre-installed factory calibration software. Spectra collected during the pXRF measurements show that poor accuracy and false positives tend to be associated with spectral interferences. Distinct combinations of spectral interferences (line overlaps, Compton scattered peaks, and Si escape peaks) were observed in the different matrix types. Our results show that critical elements may be determined in common geological materials when pronounced peaks occur in the spectra and that matrix-match of standards and samples is essential. Hence, XRF spectra should be routinely reviewed to identify erroneous quantification due to spectral interferences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 1st International Conference – Mines of the Future)
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Review

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14 pages, 28586 KiB  
Review
The Evolution, Current Status, and Future Prospects of Using Biotechnologies in the Mineral Extraction and Metal Recovery Sectors
by D. Barrie Johnson
Minerals 2018, 8(8), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8080343 - 8 Aug 2018
Cited by 78 | Viewed by 13084
Abstract
The current global demand in terms of both the amounts and range of metals for industrial and domestic use greatly exceeds that at any previous time in human history. Recycling is inadequate to meet these needs and therefore mining primary metal ores will [...] Read more.
The current global demand in terms of both the amounts and range of metals for industrial and domestic use greatly exceeds that at any previous time in human history. Recycling is inadequate to meet these needs and therefore mining primary metal ores will continue to be a major industry in the foreseeable future. The question of how metal mining can develop in a manner which is less demanding of energy and less damaging of the environment in a world whose population is increasingly aware of, and concerned about, the environment, requires urgent redress. Increased application of biotechnologies in the mining sector could go some way in solving this conundrum, yet, biomining (harnessing microorganisms to enhance the recovery of base and precious metals) has remained a niche application since it was first knowingly used in the 1960s. This manuscript reviews the development and current status of biomining applications and highlights their limitations as well as their strengths. New areas of biotechnology that could be applied in the mining sector, and their potential impact in terms of both their potential environmental and economic benefits, are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 1st International Conference – Mines of the Future)
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