Please note: Beginning January 2025, Earth Science, Systems and Society will be published through the Geological Society of London’s own Publishing House. Authors wishing to submit papers should now do so via the Geological Society’s Editorial Manager online editorial office: www.editorialmanager.com/esss
Please direct any questions to abel.barral@geolsoc.org.uk

This Special Issue focuses on exploring new technologies to better understand mine waste characteristics, unlock their potential through mineral processing technologies, and identify technical and legislative barriers. It aims to highlight innovative research and practical applications in this field.

There is growing international recognition that material once regarded as mine waste might still hold value if indeed, other uses for the materials were sought. With the energy transition aiming to deliver at least 3 billion tonnes more metal, this will equate to a significant increase in the quantity of mine waste produced. Finding alternative solutions, motivated by circular economy principles, represents a significant opportunity to reduce our predicted mine waste footprint. However, finding these opportunities can start now by using existing mine waste materials and reducing our current and legacy footprints. Researchers worldwide are developing new characterisation and mineral processing pathways to transform waste into new resources, especially to support green technology development. However, obstacles remain, from cost-effective technology to infrastructure, resources, and policies. Integrating valorisation of mine waste in the Global Mining Industry’s DNA is crucial for realising circular economy principles.

This Special Issue on Mine Waste Transformation is an exciting opportunity to showcase cutting-edge research and innovative applications where geoscience is foundational in building solutions to tackle one of society’s most significant ‘wicked problems’. By bringing together researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, the special issue will contribute to the growing field of geoscience and help to shape its future direction.

The Special Issue welcomes submissions from researchers working in any area of applied geology, engineering and metallurgy and also welcomes contributions from social scientists and policy makers, including but not limited to:

1. New tools and emerging technologies for mine waste characterisation
2. Valorisation of mine waste- from construction, carbon sequestration to critical
3. Mineral processing solutions to enable waste transformation
4. Technological and legislative barriers to success
5. The future landscape- using new technologies

Papers submitted to this Special Issue should present original research that advances our understanding of mine waste properties and demonstrate how these can be repurposed to reduce environmental risks and societal challenges. The papers will be peer-reviewed by experts in the field, and accepted papers will be published online in the Earth Science Systems and Society journal.

EScubed is excited to launch this dedicated issue established alongside the 2024 Australian Mine Waste Symposium.

EScubed is a gold-open access journal which fulfils all major funding agency mandates including the Australian Research Council, and is a society-owned not-for-profit journal. Please note: publishing fees do apply with more details found on the journal webpage.

If you have any questions about publishing in the journal, please do get in touch with Nathan and Sarah in the Editorial Office at: editorialoffice@escubed.org

Keywords: tailings, reprocessing, critical minerals, mineral processing, remediation, acid mine drainage, circular economy, policy, energy transition