Applied sciences

Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi - Mineral Resources Management

Content

Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi - Mineral Resources Management | 2026 | vol. 42 | No 1

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Abstract

Mining wastes pose environmental risks. Additionally, storage & disposal costs of waste are high. Studies on the utilization of mine wastes in soil improvement and agriculture can significantly contribute to reducing the environmental risks and the feasible utilization of these wastes. Considering the latest developments in the literature, the number of published review articles on the use of mine wastes in soil improvement and as fertilizer in agriculture is extremely limited. Taking into consideration this deficiency in the literature, this study reviewed the sustainable contributions of the use of zeolite wastes, sulfur wastes, dunite wastes, serpentinite wastes, nickel mining wastes, boron wastes, and perlite wastes in soil improvement and as fertilizers in agriculture. In this evaluation, it was determined which of the selected mine wastes contributed to the sustainable criteria corresponding to the codes created. In this way, it was aimed to contribute to the sustainable, environmentally friendly, and feasible use of mine wastes and to raise awareness for all stakeholders. The results of this study can guide guidance to R&D organizations and recycling businesses considering financing the use of these mine wastes in soil improvement and agriculture as fertilizer in the future. It is also a guide for other stakeholders considering the use of these mine wastes in soil improvement and agriculture as fertilizer in specific regions, considering contributions to sustainability criteria.
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Authors and Affiliations

Taşkın Deniz Yıldız
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University, Department of Mining Engineering, Turkey
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Abstract

To address the technical challenges in industrial applications involving stacked ores – particularly the difficulties in distinguishing individual particles resulting from mutual occlusion and geometric irregularities, and the limitations of conventional approaches in precisely determining optimal crushing positions – this study develops a multimodal feature fusion framework integrating ore segmentation with intelligent crushing position determination. Instance Segmentation Level: a hierarchical segmentation framework is constructed by integrating super-voxel clustering with 3D point cloud surface concavity-convexity analysis. To address edge segmentation optimization, a curvature-constrained region growing algorithm is introduced. Furthermore, an adhesion-aware concavity-convexity evaluation function is established to achieve precise separation of adherent ores, effectively mitigating the over-segmentation issues inherent in traditional Euclidean clustering methods when handling complex stacked scenarios. Positional Decision-Making Level: we propose a crushing point localization method incorporating multi-scale geometric feature fusion. Poisson surface reconstruction is employed to construct a continuous geometric model of the ore surface. This is combined with an enhanced RANSAC plane detection algorithm to identify optimal crushing planes, followed by a comprehensive analysis to determine crushing direction vectors. Experimental results demonstrate that the method can effectively segment individual ores in complex stacking scenarios and optimize crushing position determination based on geometric features, providing reliable technical support for automated crushing operations.
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Authors and Affiliations

Lirong Yang
1
ORCID: ORCID
Xiaolong Zhu
2
Zhiwen Huang
2
Chong Cao
2

  1. Jiangxi Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Research Center; School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, China
  2. School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, China
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Abstract

The problem of managing the high amounts of mine tailings has become important with the increase in production in mining activities. The tailings must be stored or disposed of in a controlled manner to eliminate or minimize their negative effects such as air, water, and soil pollution. In particular, the tailings of metal mines have acid mine drainage (AMD) risk and must be stored under safe conditions. The use of these tailings in an appropriate industry, such as concrete production, will increase the sustainability of mining activities. This study investigates the effect of gold (AuT), lead-zinc (LZ T), copper (CuT), and iron (FeT) metal mine tailings as a partial substitution base material for aggregate in concrete in terms of mechanical and environmental aspects using uniaxial compression strength (UCS) tests and pH measurements, respectively. The results indicated that the strength of the reference concrete without tailing (32 M Pa) could be reached or even exceeded by tailing substituted mortar samples with 5% AuT, 5% CuT, and 20% LZ T. The strength of several mortar samples increased with the curing time due to the filler effect and pozzolanic activity, while it decreased due to the clay effect and sulfate attacks depending on the tailing type and the substitution ratio. The pH value of the tailings, which was between 8.5 and 9.5, was not affected significantly by atmospheric oxidation. When these tailings were used in concrete production, the suspension pH approached 13 due to the alkaline properties of the cement, almost eliminating the AMD risk.
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Authors and Affiliations

Deniz Adiguzel
1
ORCID: ORCID
Serkan Tuylu
1
ORCID: ORCID
Can Gungoren
1
ORCID: ORCID
Ismail Demir
1
ORCID: ORCID
Ulvi Rajabli
1

  1. Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Turkey
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Abstract

With the accelerated development of the new energy vehicle industry, China’s demand for nickel resources has been increasing, and its external dependence has remained high for a long time. In the context of the new international development pattern and security environment, it is essential to systematically evaluate the security of China’s nickel ore resource supply. Based on China’s new development background and situational requirements, this paper constructs an evaluation index system for nickel resource supply security from three dimensions: global supply stability, domestic economic security, and co-existence of optimal, from the perspectives of national resource security and sustainable development, combined with the characteristics of nickel resources. The CRITICTOPSIS model is adopted to evaluate the level of secure nickel resource supply from 2011 to 2022. The construction of the evaluation index system for nickel resource supply security has been proven scientifically reasonable, the method used is relatively appropriate, and the evaluation results are credible. The results indicate that China’s nickel resource supply capacity has generally declined since 2011, with the main influencing factors being domestic resource supply potential, global geopolitical risks, and nickel ore market price fluctuations. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance domestic nickel resource exploration efforts, increase overseas mining investments in nickel resources, improve China’s global allocation of nickel resources, and elevate nickel resource reserve capabilities and smelting and production technologies.
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Authors and Affiliations

Yingchao Niu
1
ORCID: ORCID
Shaobo Wen
2
Xuezheng Gao
1
Yuntao Shang
1
Xiaolei Li
1
Fanyu Qi
1
Chao Zhang
1
ORCID: ORCID
Jianghao Yuan
1

  1. Development and Research Center of China Geological Survey, China
  2. Chinese Academy of Natural Resources Economics, China
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Abstract

Fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, and natural gas are still key to ensuring energy security. Due to limited resources, most European countries must import strategic raw materials, making their security dependent on the geopolitical situation. The war in Ukraine has serious consequences for the fossil fuel market in Central and Eastern Europe. The Russian Federation, being a world leader in hydrocarbon production, was a key supplier to most countries located in this region. As the armed conflict in Ukraine developed, it became obvious that ensuring energy security would be a priority for the European countries. Diversifying the sources of strategic fossil fuels was undoubtedly one of the most challenging ventures during this time. As a result of EU sanctions against Russian raw materials, the Central and Eastern European countries were forced to review and amend their energy policies, as well as look for new suppliers of hydrocarbons. Unfortunately, for many countries, achieving these targets turned out to be a great challenge due to their significant dependence on Russia and the lack of alternative transmission infrastructure. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to significant changes in the fossil fuel market, primarily in Germany and Poland. This article presents a comparative analysis of the German and Polish fossil fuel markets in the aftermath of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The analysis covers the period of 2021-2024. The aim was to determine how the sanctions imposed on Russia affected the fossil fuel markets of Germany and Poland. The analysis covers the coal, oil, and natural gas sectors.
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Authors and Affiliations

Wiktor Hebda
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland
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Abstract

The magnetic induction sorting system is an automated intelligent system designed specifically for magnetite ore, which can effectively separate low-grade ores. However, the magnetic induction signals detected by this system are vulnerable to noise interference, posing a significant challenge for accurate signal acquisition, thus affecting both the sorting range and accuracy. To address this issue, this study proposes a denoising method integrating the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA)-optimized Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) with Wavelet Thresholding (WT). Firstly, SSA is employed to optimize the parameter configuration of VMD to achieve optimal signal decomposition. Subsequently, intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) are selectively filtered based on sample entropy analysis, and the retained IMFs undergo WT denoising. Finally, the IMFs are reconstructed to yield the denoised signal. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified comprehensively through experiments performed with a laboratory-developed magnetic induction sorting system. Experimental results demonstrate substantial performance improvements when compared to four alternative algorithms, achieving an average improvement of 3.3% in Noise Mode (NM) and a reduction of 14.9% in Root of Variance Ratio (RVR). Moreover, the denoising algorithm led to a 38.8% increase in detectable magnetite ores and a 12.5% improvement in sorting accuracy. These results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively suppresses noise interference during the Hall sensor’s collection of magnetic signals, significantly enhancing the grade sorting range and accuracy of magnetite ore.
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Authors and Affiliations

Caiyun Wu
1
Chunrong Pan
1
Kai Feng
2
Decan Zeng
3
ORCID: ORCID

  1. School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
  2. School of Intelligent Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
  3. School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000; School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Heyuan Technician Institute, China
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Abstract

For modelling and control of the Vibrating Ore Drawing Process (VODP) in the under-mine rail transportation, a visual perception-based detection method for controlled variables in the drawing process is proposed and applied to the Model Predictive Control for achieving the adaptive draw of the chute. First, the method for estimating ore flow parameters is proposed based on a neural network visual perception method. The neural network-based target detection algorithm is constructed by the well-known DarkNet-53 structure, which is further optimized based on the YOLOv5-MINE structure. Second, the reference model of the VODP system is established by the system identification and data fitting approach. Then, based on this, we use model predictive control to control the system and give a stability analysis of the system with the input and output block diagram under the guidance of the prediction model. Finally, combined with advanced communication technology, simple simulation examples and practical industrial applications are given to illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed methodology. Field experiments conducted at an iron ore mine in China show that the application of the Visual Perception and Model Predictive Control system eliminates inefficiencies caused by human factors, resulting in a 6.8% increase in ore loading efficiency and a reduction in the need for operators by more than 50%. The proposed system provides a significant advancement in intelligent and unmanned mining operations, enhancing safety, efficiency, and resource utilization.
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Authors and Affiliations

Xu Liu
1
ORCID: ORCID
Kai Zhan
2
ORCID: ORCID
Miao Miao Zhu
3
Lingjuan Huang
4
Feng Jin
5
ORCID: ORCID
Jun Liu
6
Zheng Wu
7
Chao Yang Ma
2

  1. University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing Zhongse Xinda Technology Development Co., Ltd, Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, China
  2. BGRIMM Technology Group, China
  3. China Rongtong Security International Group Co., Ltd., China
  4. Teacher’s College of Beijing Union University, Ling Juan Huang, China
  5. Beijing Modern Research Institute of Recycle Economy, Hangzhou Institute of Technology of Xidian University, China
  6. China Nonferrous Metals Industry Technology Development Company, China
  7. Zhongse Asset Management Co., Ltd., China
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Abstract

The analysis of hydrothermal carbonization technology processing showed that this technology effectively transforms hydrated biomass into high-quality hydrated and biocarbon pellets used as biofuels. One of the key advantages of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is its ability to enhance the efficiency of bio-waste recycling, leading to increased productivity in waste management. It also decreases reliance on fossil fuels by providing a sustainable alternative energy source while lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional waste disposal. The process is highly efficient, converting a significant part of biowaste carbon into biocarbon. Hydrothermal carbonization is an exothermic process operating with low energy consumption. The hydrochar produced can be utilized as a soil amendment, enriching soil and sequestering carbon. Investing in innovative technologies like HTC strengthens sustainable waste management strategies, fostering the circular economy concept. By increased use of hydrothermal carbonization, the volume of untreated biowaste can be reduced while simultaneously producing environmentally friendly materials. The development of this technology holds great potential for transforming organic waste into valuable resources, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional disposal. The assessment showed that it is possible to process approximately 50 million tons of biomass per year in Poland using the HTC method and thus produce about 16.5 million tons of carbon bio pellets.
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Authors and Affiliations

Zygmunt Kowalski
1
Agnieszka Nowaczek
1
ORCID: ORCID
Agnieszka Makara
2
ORCID: ORCID
Joanna Kulczycka
3
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
  2. Cracow University of Technology, Poland
  3. AGH University of Krakow, Poland
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Abstract

Coal mining heritage encompasses both the tangible and intangible legacies of coal mining activities. Industrial heritage objects are important in many dimensions: technical, historical, architectural, scientific, and cultural. Postmining sites serve as reminders of industrial advancements and the socio-economic transformations that have shaped regions across Europe. They are the basis of local identity and are important for economic change. On the other hand, monument protection authorities are not always able to maintain all such objects, and the process of making decisions for or against the preservation of a given object is based not only on economic criteria. Maintaining industrial heritage facilities is a multifaceted challenge that requires a tailored approach, considering the specific context of each site. Managing mining resources as cultural heritage is a multifaceted challenge requiring comprehensive strategies. These strategies must address technical, social, economic, and environmental aspects while fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including local communities, cultural institutions, local authorities, and experts in related fields. The article presents the chosen results of a survey carried out by the Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute (GIG-PIB) within the project “Coal Heritage: Conservation and promotion of the Coal Mining Heritage as the EU’s cultural legacy” financed by the Coal and Steel Research Fund Accompanying Measures. The discussion integrates key insights from experts’ comprehensive and consistent perspective on the challenges in the management of mining heritage.
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Authors and Affiliations

Sylwia Jarosławska-Sobór
1
ORCID: ORCID
Robert Hildebrandt
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Central Mining Institute, Katowice, Poland
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Abstract

Springs are important to ecosystems because they are naturally occurring outflows of groundwater to the surface. Spring water quality is often overlooked in areas where the main source for the water supply is, for example, groundwater. Meanwhile, springs located in urban spaces or tourist areas are used as drinking water without any awareness of their chemical state or bacteriological composition. This situation applies not only to Poland, but to many European countries. An example of formations that are highly susceptible to pollution is karst systems. The majority of the parameters continue to be normal, according to the results of physicochemical analyses. The tested waters had relatively high nitrate levels, but they didn’t exceed the allowable limits for drinking water. Tests carried out in three measurement series at the spring in Leśniów (southern Poland) indicate episodic mercury contamination and the consistent existence of the bacterium coliform. This was confirmed by the values of the Nemerow Index (NPI), which ranged from approximately 3 to 35, while the number of coliform bacteria was in the range of 7–35 cfu/100 ml. Values of the Water Quality Index were also calculated. In two series, they were in the range of 50–100, suggesting good quality, and in the third series, they exceeded 100, which indicates poor water quality. The consumption of contaminated water can have detrimental impacts on one’s health. As a result, it is critical to regularly monitor water contamination, locate pollution sources, and reduce the likelihood of pollutant migration.
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Authors and Affiliations

Dominika Dąbrowska
1
ORCID: ORCID
Marek Ruman
1
ORCID: ORCID
Wojciech Rykała
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

Additional info

The subject matter of the articles published in Mineral Resources Management covers issues related to minerals and raw materials, as well as mineral deposits, with particular emphasis on:

  • The scientific basis for mineral resources management,
  • The strategy and methodology of prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits,
  • Methods of rational management and use of deposits,
  • The rational exploitation of deposits and the reduction in the loss of raw materials,
  • Mineral resources management in processing technologies,
  • Environmental protection in the mining industry,
  • Optimization of mineral deposits and mineral resources management,
  • The rational use of mineral resources,
  • The economics of mineral resources,
  • The raw materials market,
  • Raw materials policy,
  • The use of accompanying minerals,
  • The use of secondary raw materials and waste,
  • Raw material recycling,
  • The management of waste from the mining industry.

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