Recent Advances in Mining Technology and Geotechnical Engineering

Dear Colleagues,

As a crucial foundation of modern human civilization, mineral resources support the operation and development of various industries in society.  Facing the rapid growth of the global population, how to safely,  efficiently, and greenly mine mineral resources has become an important issue for humanity today. The advancement in technology and the progress of new-generation information technologies have led to the increasing application of advanced techniques, concepts, and equipment in mines. A wide range of scholars and enterprises are also conducting research and practical efforts to enhance the level of mine intelligence. For instance, through the integration of advanced sensors and multi-source data fusion, robust perception has been achieved in harsh environments; the deployment of unmanned intelligent equipment has constructed intelligent fully mechanized mining faces; autonomous driving technology has been applied on a large scale in open-pit mines, enabling robotic operations in multiple stages such as drilling, blasting, mining, transportation, and dumping, significantly reducing the number of personnel and the labor intensity of miners; big data and large models have facilitated the construction of comprehensive dispatching platforms, enhancing production efficiency and lowering operational costs for mining enterprises; reclamation of mined lands and tailings treatment have greatly promoted harmony between the mining industry and the natural environment. However, with the development of deep, low-grade, and adverse geological conditions mines, reducing personnel, improving efficiency, and enhancing safety still face significant research challenges. The level of intelligent mine construction remains urgently in need of improvement.

Proposing and implementing new mining technologies, and advancing the development of geotechnical engineering, will contribute to the efficient extraction and green exploitation of resources, thereby elevating the current and future levels of mine development.

Dr. Jianjian Yang
Dr. Xiaoyong Ren
Dr. Bin Tian
Guest Editors

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