A review of heavy metal remediation technologies and resource utilization in mining areas

Mining activities have caused persistent multi-metal soil contamination in surrounding areas, where Cd, Pb, Cu, Mo and other elements constrain ecological restoration, food safety, and land redevelopment. Although physical, chemical, biological, and combined remediation technologies have been widely reviewed, many studies still evaluate remediation mainly by removal efficiency or immobilization performance, while insufficient attention is paid to whether treated soils can be safely converted into reusable land, engineering materials, or nutrient resources. Based on a structured review of literature from 2016 to 2026, this paper compares engineering remediation, electrokinetic remediation, thermal treatment, chemical leaching, stabilization/solidification, phytoremediation, microbial and animal remediation, and combined approaches in terms of mechanisms, applicability, limitations, and post-remediation reuse potential. The main novelty of this review is the proposed remediation-resource coupling framework (RRCF), which redefines mining-area soil remediation as an integrated process of risk control, soil functional restoration, and post-remediation resource conversion. This review further argues that resource utilization should be embedded in technology selection rather than considered only after remediation. Thermally treated and stabilized soils are more suitable for controlled engineering reuse, washed soils require functional reconstruction before reuse, and biologically remediated soils show greater potential for ecological or agricultural recovery. For example, Mo-bearing remediated soils may have micronutrient reuse potential, but only when coexisting toxic metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cu are controlled below risk thresholds and food-chain safety is verified. This review provides a decision-oriented basis for shifting mining soil remediation from pollution control toward circular land management.