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The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP) in China is a geological treasure trove known for its complex structures and rich mineral resources. Among these, copper stands out as a critical metal for economic development. However, the exploitation of these resources is not without challenges, particularly in balancing the need for economic growth with the preservation of the plateau’s delicate ecosystem. In this study, we take into account the intricate interplay between human activities, environmental conditions, and economic strategies. By applying a pressure-state-response (PSR) framework and innovatively establishing a comprehensive potential evaluation index, we are able to quantify the development potential of copper deposits on the QXP and to identify key factors influencing the development potential. The results indicate a varied landscape of copper deposit development potential across the QXP. The state layer in the PSR model represents the most significant obstacle to the development potential of copper resources on the QXP. Certain areas, specifically central Xizang, eastern Xizang, and northwestern Yunnan, show high development potential for copper deposits due to favorable geological conditions and policy environments, and strong infrastructure.

In the context of global sustainable development, the construction of green mining facilities has emerged as a pivotal strategy for advancing sustainable mining practices. As a substantial mineral resource base in China, the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP) is of significant concern due to its importance for mineral exploitation. However, the natural conditions of the region, such as freezing temperatures, low oxygen levels, frequent freeze–thaw cycles, and fragile ecology, pose substantial challenges to mining activities, making green mine construction an inevitable choice for mining development on the QXP. This study uses SWOT analysis to macroscopically evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of green mine construction on the QXP. This study adopts SWOT analysis to sort out, from a macro and systematic perspective, the internal resource endowments, technical reserves, external policy and market opportunities, as well as multiple challenges such as ecological vulnerability, harsh climate, regulation, and public opinion in the construction of green mining on the QXP. Furthermore, four typical cases, namely the Julong Copper Mine, Zhaxikang Lead–Zinc Mine, Zaozigou Gold Mine, and Duolong Copper Mine, are selected for analysis, and their differentiated paths in ecological restoration, digital mines, tailings disposal, and community-benefit sharing are summarized. International comparisons reveal the similarities and differences in policies, technologies, and other aspects between the QXP and other high-altitude regions. The study holds that it is necessary to promote the coordinated development of resource exploitation and ecological protection in green mining on the QXP through technological innovation, policy optimization, community collaboration, and the construction of a full-life-cycle environmental-monitoring system. At the same time, it points out the limitations of the current research in quantitative analysis and future research directions.

This article proposes a novel longitudinal vehicle speed estimator for snowy roads in extreme conditions (four-wheel slip) based on low-cost wheel speed encoders and a longitudinal acceleration sensor. The tire rotation factor, η, is introduced to reduce the deviation between the rotation tire radius and the manufacturer’s marked tire radius. The Local Vehicle Speed Estimator is defined to eliminate longitudinal vehicle speed estimation error. It improves the tire slip accuracy of four-wheel slip, even with a high slip rate. The final vehicle speed is estimated using two fuzzy control strategies that use vehicle speed estimates from speed encoders and a longitudinal acceleration sensor. Experimental and simulation results confirm the algorithm’s validity for estimating longitudinal vehicle speed for four-wheel slip in snowy road conditions.

The Shuangwang gold deposit, located in the Fengxian-Taibai fore-arc basin in the western Qinling Orogen of Central China, has yielded over 70 tons of gold. It is an orogenic gold deposit occurring in an NW-trending breccia belt. Most of the ores are hydrothermal breccia type containing fragments of adjacent strata cemented by ankerite and pyrite. Pyrite is the most abundant metallic mineral and the major gold-bearing mineral in the ores. A total of 58 pyrite samples from main ore bodies of the Shuangwang gold deposit have been analysed for 44 trace elements by HR-ICP-MS. Sb, Ba, Cu, Pb, Zn, Bi, Mo, Co are selected as indicator elements to investigate the potential usefulness of trace elements in pyrite as an indicator in gold exploration. The results show that the supra-ore halo elements Sb and Ba, which may have been more active than other near-ore halo elements and sub-ore halo elements, are best to characterize the shape of ore bodies. Five target areas are pointed out for deep ore exploration based on a comprehensive study of supra-ore, near-ore and sub-ore halos. This study provides evidence that trace elements in pyrite can be used to depict the deep extension of ore bodies and to vector towards undiscovered ore bodies.

Xizang is an important base of mineral resources, hosting abundant deposits. However, its unique and fragile ecological environment has long constrained resource development and utilization. Achieving a balance between ecological protection and mineral resource exploitation has become a pressing issue. This study proposes a novel approach for ecological functional zoning to provide scientific evidence for mineral resource development in Xizang. The study employs remote sensing image interpretation and single-factor ecological indicators analysis to construct a comprehensive ecological environment assessment system, scientifically delineating ecological function zoning for mineral resource development in Xizang. The results indicate that Xizang can be divided into five functional zones: (I) Northern Plateau Desert Zone, (II) Plateau Grassland Zone, (III) Plateau Mountain Zone, (IV) High Mountain-Forest Zone, and (V) Eastern Canyon Zone. Zone I and Zone III exhibit relatively favorable conditions for development but also face significant ecological vulnerability. Therefore, development activities in these areas must be rigorously controlled to minimize environmental disturbances. Zone II and Zone IV impose substantial constraints on resource development due to the heightened sensitivity of their ecosystems, necessitating stringent conservation measures. While Zone V demonstrates strong ecological restoration capabilities, it remains highly susceptible to water resource contamination and soil erosion risks. The innovative outcomes of this study lie in integrating comprehensive regional zoning and quantitative ecological environment assessments, providing an actionable framework for the coordinated development of mineral resources and ecological protection, thus advancing the scientific and refined management of resources and the environment.

As the global demand for minerals critical to clean energy and technological innovation continues to rise, the sustainable exploitation of mineral resources in high-altitude regions becomes increasingly essential for global sustainable development. Employing SWOT analysis, deep learning, and heatmap techniques, this study delves into the mineral resource policies of China, the United States, Canada, and Chile, assessing their alignment with and impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite distinct policy frameworks, a shared focus on technological innovation and environmental sustainability is evident. China’s strategic resource allocation and stringent regulations drive a green, low-carbon shift, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action). The United States fosters SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through market-driven technological advancements. Canada’s collaborative approach, emphasizing indigenous rights, underpins SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Chile’s national governance and international collaboration mix bolsters the mining industry’s efficiency and sustainability, supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The study underscores a trend toward sustainable practices in mineral resource management and stresses the critical need for international cooperation. The study advocates for global collaboration and sharing of green mining technologies to accelerate the industry’s transition to a sustainable and responsible future and boost SDG achievements worldwide.

The Qinghai–Xizang Plateau (QXP) is the highest plateau on Earth, with a significant quantity of iron resources that significantly contribute to regional economic development in Western China. However, the exploitation of these iron deposits on the QXP is confronted with dual challenges. The complex geography and weak infrastructure lead to inadequate transport accessibility, while the strict ecological regulations and stringent environmental protection policies further complicate resource development. This study focuses on the transport accessibility issues related to iron deposits on the QXP, aiming to assess the suitability for regional iron resource development. This study conducts a comprehensive, multidimensional analysis encompassing the spatial distribution of iron deposits, the characteristics of the transport network, and economic dynamics. Based on these analyses, an integrated suitability evaluation model is developed to assess the accessibility of iron deposits on the QXP. The results indicate that the transport accessibility of iron deposits on the QXP displays obvious spatial disparities. The deposits on the western QXP exhibit lower accessibility due to the remoteness from major economic centers and underdeveloped transport infrastructure. In contrast, the deposits on the eastern QXP, which are closer to transportation and economic centers, show greater development potential. Additionally, this study innovatively incorporates economic dynamics and ecological protection factors into the transport accessibility evaluation framework, revealing the coupling relationship between the transport conditions, economic patterns, and mineral resource development potential. It provides scientific evidence for the balancing of resource development and environmental protection in ecologically sensitive areas. The findings could contribute to optimizing the iron resource development strategies on the QXP and provide theoretical support for future regional infrastructure planning.

Different economic development stages are associated with distinctive patterns of steel consumption, and the forecast of future steel consumption has been an intriguing subject. This article takes a pragmatic approach to the examination of intrinsic relations between crude steel consumption and economic development using historical data of the past 100 years from 11 developed economies. The relations between crude steel consumption and GDP can be described by an expanded S-curve model: with the growth in GDP per capita and per capita steel consumption showing an expanded S-curve of “slow growth–rapid growth–zero growth, or even negative growth.” The patterns of crude steel consumption in different economic development stages are characterized by different transitional thresholds, which are referred to as the takeoff point, turning point, and zero-growth point of the per capita crude steel consumption. Using a mathematical model and the critical thresholds, the expanded S-curve can be divided into four transitional sections: slow growth, accelerated growth, decelerated growth, and zero/negative growth. The expanded S-curve model is expected to be a foundation for forecasting crude steel demand in different economies or in the same economy at different economic development stages.

The Resourcing Future Generations (RFG) program is a global strategy proposed by the International Union of Geological Sciences to meet global demand for natural resources. The Belt and Road (B&R) initiative of China provides a great opportunity for promoting the RFG across much of the Eurasian continent. The countries covered by the B&R initiative are mostly low-income economies. With rapid developments of economy and infrastructure construction, these countries are set to have huge demands for mineral resources in the future. However, the proven mineral reserves in this region are too limited, and the region’s overall level of metal recycling is far from optimistic. These countries are expected to have obstacles in meeting future demands. However, the regional Tethyan metallogenic domain and Central Asia metallogenic district are key areas for new discoveries of mineral resources, possessing a variety of mineral resources with a positive prospecting potential. The B&R initiative of China provides favorable opportunity for mutual beneficial cooperation to improve regional exploration and prospecting through geological mapping, inter-comparison study on Tethyan metallogenic domain, joint assessment of mineral resource potentials, joint training of geological engineers and workers and building information systems.

The Shuangwang Au deposit (with a gold resource of approximately 70 t Au), is located in the Fenxian-Taibai fore-arc basin in the West Qinling Orogen of central China. Igneous intrusions in the region include the Xiba granitic pluton and granite porphyry and lamprophyre dykes. The Xiba pluton is composed of granodiorite and monzonite granite. The granodiorite is typical I-type granite, and it yields a crystallization age of 221.1 ± 1.2 Ma and a two-stage Hf model age of 1432–1634 Ma. The monzonite granite shows a transitional characteristic between I-type and A-type granite, and it yields a crystallization age of 214.8 ± 1.2 Ma and a two-stage Hf model age of 1443–1549 Ma. The granitoid was derived mainly from a crust–mantle mixed source. The ages indicate that the granodiorite and monzonite granite formed during two different stages. The REE distribution patterns of the Xiba granitoid exhibit significant fractionation between LREE and HREE, showing right-dipping curves, with an enrichment of LREE and a deficit of HREE. The granodiorite displays a light negative Eu anomaly, while the monzonite granite displays an obvious negative Eu anomaly. The granite porphyry dikes are distributed in the No. I breccia and Jiupinggou granite porphyry, and they yield crystallization ages of 219.9 ± 1.5 Ma and 213.1 ± 0.89 Ma, respectively, and two-stage Hf model ages of 1382–1501 Ma and 1373–1522 Ma, respectively. The lamprophyre dikes in the deposit yield a crystallization age of 214.4 ± 2.7 Ma. After the collision event between the Yangtze and the North China Plates along the Qinling orogenic belt, at approximately 220 Ma in the Late Triassic, the detachment of the slab produced the upwelling of the asthenosphere material. Under conditions of mantle heat and tectonic stress, widespread partial melting of the subducted continental crust and the upper lithosphere mantle occurred, forming granitoids with various degrees of adakite characteristics.