A Privacy Preserving Attribute-Based Access Control Model for the Tokenization of Mineral Resources via Blockchain

The blockchain technology is transforming the mining industry by enabling mineral reserve tokenization, improving security, transparency, and traceability. However, controlling access to sensitive mining data remains a challenge. Existing access control models, such as role-based access control, are...

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Main Authors: Padmini Nemala, Ben Chen, Hui Cui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8290
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author Padmini Nemala
Ben Chen
Hui Cui
author_facet Padmini Nemala
Ben Chen
Hui Cui
author_sort Padmini Nemala
collection DOAJ
description The blockchain technology is transforming the mining industry by enabling mineral reserve tokenization, improving security, transparency, and traceability. However, controlling access to sensitive mining data remains a challenge. Existing access control models, such as role-based access control, are too rigid because they assign permissions based on predefined roles rather than real-world conditions like mining licenses, regulatory approvals, or investment status. To address this, this paper explores an attribute-based access control model for blockchain-based mineral tokenization systems. ABAC allows access permissions to be granted dynamically based on multiple attributes rather than fixed roles, making it more adaptable to the mining industry. This paper presents a high-level system design that integrates ABAC with the blockchain using smart contracts to manage access policies and ensure compliance. The proposed model is designed for permissioned blockchain platforms, where access control decisions can be automated and securely recorded. A comparative analysis between ABAC and RBAC highlights how ABAC provides greater flexibility, security, and privacy for mining operations. By introducing ABAC in blockchain-based mineral reserve tokenization, this paper contributes to a more efficient and secure way of managing data access in the mining industry, ensuring that only authorized stakeholders can interact with tokenized mineral assets.
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spelling doaj-art-2ab7b6b8cc2d4ac3ac7264545e1657a62025-08-20T03:36:31ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011515829010.3390/app15158290A Privacy Preserving Attribute-Based Access Control Model for the Tokenization of Mineral Resources via BlockchainPadmini Nemala0Ben Chen1Hui Cui2Department of Software Systems and Cybersecurity, Faculty of IT, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, AustraliaDepartment of Software Systems and Cybersecurity, Faculty of IT, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, AustraliaDepartment of Software Systems and Cybersecurity, Faculty of IT, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, AustraliaThe blockchain technology is transforming the mining industry by enabling mineral reserve tokenization, improving security, transparency, and traceability. However, controlling access to sensitive mining data remains a challenge. Existing access control models, such as role-based access control, are too rigid because they assign permissions based on predefined roles rather than real-world conditions like mining licenses, regulatory approvals, or investment status. To address this, this paper explores an attribute-based access control model for blockchain-based mineral tokenization systems. ABAC allows access permissions to be granted dynamically based on multiple attributes rather than fixed roles, making it more adaptable to the mining industry. This paper presents a high-level system design that integrates ABAC with the blockchain using smart contracts to manage access policies and ensure compliance. The proposed model is designed for permissioned blockchain platforms, where access control decisions can be automated and securely recorded. A comparative analysis between ABAC and RBAC highlights how ABAC provides greater flexibility, security, and privacy for mining operations. By introducing ABAC in blockchain-based mineral reserve tokenization, this paper contributes to a more efficient and secure way of managing data access in the mining industry, ensuring that only authorized stakeholders can interact with tokenized mineral assets.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8290blockchainABACsmart contractsHyperledger Fabricmining industrytokenization
spellingShingle Padmini Nemala
Ben Chen
Hui Cui
A Privacy Preserving Attribute-Based Access Control Model for the Tokenization of Mineral Resources via Blockchain
Applied Sciences
blockchain
ABAC
smart contracts
Hyperledger Fabric
mining industry
tokenization
title A Privacy Preserving Attribute-Based Access Control Model for the Tokenization of Mineral Resources via Blockchain
title_full A Privacy Preserving Attribute-Based Access Control Model for the Tokenization of Mineral Resources via Blockchain
title_fullStr A Privacy Preserving Attribute-Based Access Control Model for the Tokenization of Mineral Resources via Blockchain
title_full_unstemmed A Privacy Preserving Attribute-Based Access Control Model for the Tokenization of Mineral Resources via Blockchain
title_short A Privacy Preserving Attribute-Based Access Control Model for the Tokenization of Mineral Resources via Blockchain
title_sort privacy preserving attribute based access control model for the tokenization of mineral resources via blockchain
topic blockchain
ABAC
smart contracts
Hyperledger Fabric
mining industry
tokenization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8290
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