Mine backfill is a well-established and proven practice in the underground mining industry. The wide application of backfill technologies in mining engineering helps convert resources into reserves, reduce ore dilution, and improve underground working conditions. Due to the complex structures and various properties of backfill aggregates, binders, and backfill slurry, the complexity of mechanical testing methods, and the optimization and design of backfill recipes, a better understanding of the fundamental issues of mine backfill is urgently needed.

Backfill masses in mine stopes are usually subject to stratification, segregation, high hydrostatic pressure, and variable physical and chemical conditions. Therefore, an improved evaluation of the properties of the backfill masses is of great importance, including the evolution characteristics from backfill slurry to solid state, the stress and strength characteristics of backfill, and the interactions between backfill and rock masses.

This Special Issue will collect high quality original research articles and review papers reflecting advances in mine backfill research globally, including mechanical behavior, parameters optimization, and alternative backfill materials. This research can be based on theoretical analysis, numerical modeling, laboratory experiments, or field applications in mines. We welcome both original research and review articles.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Aggregate characterization for mine backfill
• Cementitious materials and alternative binders for mine backfill
• Tailing performance in thickening and filtration processes
• Rheological properties and flow characteristics of backfill slurry
• Strength characteristics and testing methods of mine backfill
• Stress distribution and evaluation of backfill in mine stopes
• Strength requirement and design for mine backfill
• Recipe optimization and additives for mine backfill
• Consolidation and liquefaction of backfill masses
• Advanced technology for cemented rock fill
• Environmental impact analysis of mine backfill