Title: Electricity and sustainable innovation in copper mining and processing: a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review

Authors: Marco Cotrina; Jairo Marquina; Bruno Rodríguez; Jorge Vargas

Addresses: Department of Mining Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo, 13001, Perú ' Department of Mining Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo, 13001, Perú ' Department of Mining Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo, 13001, Perú ' Department of Mining Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo, 13001, Perú

Abstract: This study analyses electricity consumption in copper mining and processing (2000-2024), focusing on trends, innovations, and future directions. Using a mixed-method approach bibliometric analysis, text mining, and content analysis 95 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus, JSTOR, and Taylor & Francis were reviewed following PRISMA guidelines. The objectives were to identify trends, review energy efficiency and innovations in mineral processing, and propose future research directions. Three research clusters emerged: 1) energy efficiency and electricity consumption in copper mining; 2) electricity and sustainability in copper mineral processing; 3) technological advances in copper processing with a focus on electricity. Five research priorities were proposed: optimising energy use in comminution and flotation, integrating renewable energy, advancing desalination and energy, efficient water management, recovering and reusing residual energy, and developing sustainable processing technologies.

Keywords: copper mining; electricity consumption; energy efficiency; mineral processing; sustainability; renewable energy; sustainable technologies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2026.152398

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2026 Vol.17 No.1, pp.73 - 95

Received: 25 Jan 2025
Accepted: 12 Nov 2025
Published online: 18 Mar 2026 *

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