Monitoring, Process Control and Preventive Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining
1
China Coal Research Institution, Beijing 100013, China
2
The State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
3
Research Institute of Macro-Safety Science, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
4
School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
5
College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
6
School of Safety Engineering, Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150022, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Processes 2026, 14(11), 1720; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111720
Submission received: 8 May 2026
/
Accepted: 22 May 2026
/
Published: 26 May 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
1. Introduction
With the gradual depletion of shallow coal resources and the continuous increase in mining intensity in coal-producing regions, coal mining is progressively deepening [1,2,3]. Compared with shallow mining, deep mining subjects coal and rock masses to more complex stress conditions, resulting in more pronounced mechanical responses and, consequently, poses a series of engineering hazards, such as coal and gas outbursts, rock bursts, gas explosions, and roadway surrounding-rock deformation [4,5]. The risks associated with coal mining are therefore increasing, which increases the need to understand disaster mechanisms, process control technologies, and preventive measures [6,7,8]. In this context, systematic research on coal mine safety is essential for ensuring the safe and efficient extraction of coal resources and enhancing the disaster prevention and control capacity of mines in practice.
Fifteen articles are included in this Special Issue. Based on a comprehensive analysis of their contents, these papers are systematically reviewed and summarized y research theme, technical method, and major contributions. The aims of this analysis were to clarify the latest progress in coal mine safety monitoring, process control, and disaster prevention and to identify the common characteristics and trends in this Special Issue in terms of theoretical understanding, key technologies, and engineering practice, providing references for future research and safe coal mine production.
2. Overview of Contributions
This Special Issue’s contributions can be categorized into four key themes.
2.1. Mining-Induced Strata Response, Ground Pressure Control, and Roadway Stability
These studies mainly focused on overburden movement, fault response, rock burst prevention and control, coal pillar and roadway stability, and surface subsidence control under mining conditions. Yang et al. (contribution 1) developed a comprehensive methodology for overburden delamination grouting to mitigate longwall mining surface subsidence. They validated the effectiveness of the method using engineering case studies. Du et al. (contribution 2) designed arc-shaped energy absorbing components and analyzed their energy absorbing characteristics under coupling with hydraulic columns, demonstrating that these components increase the impact resistance of hydraulic supports for preventing roadway impacts. Xia et al. (contribution 3) investigated the stress response mechanism and the evolution of normal coal series faults during the mining process using fiber optic monitoring and distributed strain measurement, describing the fault initiation, slip, and instability processes. Fu et al. (contribution 7) examined the characteristics and patterns of roof movement during the large-height mining extraction of shallow coal seams through theoretical analysis and physical simulation. Li et al. (contribution 8) constructed a hydraulic fracturing pressure relief scheme for optimizing the pillar size in ultra-thick coal seam longwall panels. They improved pillar design and entry stability, as verified through field monitoring. Bi et al. (contribution 11) explored the mechanisms through which soft rock roadways buried under coal pillars deform and fail. They propose a combined control technology involving high-strength bolts and grouting. Collectively, these studies reflect the recent advances in our understanding of mining-induced strata responses and engineering control technologies in coal mining.
2.2. Gas Extraction Process Regulation and Engineering Optimization
These studies mainly focused on regulating the operation of gas extraction systems, analyzing seepage, controlling borehole trajectory deviation during drilling, and enhancing gas extraction technologies. Du et al. (contribution 4) constructed a graph-theory-based model of gas extraction pipeline networks, analyzed the effects of different regulation parameters on network operation, and proposed an intelligent control strategy to increase gas extraction concentration and system efficiency. Liu et al. (contribution 5) established a coupled multiphysics model of gas–water two-phase seepage during coalbed methane development. They quantitatively analyzed the effects of Young’s modulus, the initial permeability, and the drainage system on coalbed methane production. Wang et al. (contribution 6) investigated the characteristics of and factors influencing borehole trajectory deviation in three soft coal seams, indicating that geological factors mainly control borehole trajectory deviation. Their study provides a basis for predicting and correcting borehole. Fan et al. (contribution 14) developed a coupled thermal–hydraulic–solid model for air injection to enhance coalbed gas extraction. The results of field tests showed that air injection effectively promote gas desorption, migration, and extraction efficiency in coalbeds. Taken together, these studies reflect the main advances in regulating the process and improving the engineering of coal mine gas extraction in terms of pipeline network control, seepage process simulation, drilling optimization, and air-injection-enhanced gas extraction.
2.3. Coal Damage and Failure as Well as Gas Adsorption and Desorption Mechanisms
These studies mainly focused on fundamental issues such as coal damage and failure behavior and the mechanisms through which methane is adsorbed and desorbed under deep mining conditions. Tian et al. (contribution 12) investigated the mechanical response, crack propagation behavior, and acoustic emission time–frequency evolution of coal with gas and confining pressures through laboratory tests and theoretical analysis. They determined how confining pressure strengthens and the gas pressure weakens coal failure behavior. Zhao et al. (contribution 13) combined nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and a molecular dynamics simulation to study the effects of cyclical microwave treatment on the molecular structure of long-flame coal and its methane adsorption behavior. They found that microwave treatment weakens the methane adsorption capacity of coal and promotes methane extraction. Collectively, these studies reflect the recent progress in our understanding the evolution of coal damage as well as the gas adsorption and desorption behavior of coal from the macroscopic mechanical response level and the microscopic molecular mechanism level.
2.4. Spontaneous Coal Combustion, CO Overrun, and Fire Source Location
These studies mainly focused on the oxidation kinetics of spontaneous coal combustion, identifying the sources of CO overrun in the working face, and developing technology for locating the sources of spontaneous coal combustion. Liu et al. (contribution 9) investigated the variation in the activation energy of coal oxidation under different oxygen concentrations through programmed temperature experiments, finding that the activation energy increases as the oxygen concentration decreases. They propose a safety threshold of 6% O2 for the goaf atmosphere. Liu et al. (contribution 10) analyzed the characteristics of the occurrence of CO in raw coal and of CO generation during the mining process in response to CO overrun in the return air corner of a fully mechanized coal mine working face. They concluded that the oxidation of residual coal in the goaf and the CO generated during production are the main reasons for CO overrun. Jin et al. (contribution 15) systematically reviewed the current research on technology for determining the source location of spontaneous coal combustion as well as identified future research directions. They found that the location accuracy of existing methods is still insufficient when environmental conditions are complex. They propose integrated air–ground and coupled multiphysical field approaches for determining fire source locations. Together, these studies reflect the main advances in the monitoring, early warning, and precise identification of spontaneous coal combustion from the perspectives of oxidation kinetics, CO indicator identification, and fire source location determination methods.
3. Conclusions
In summary, the 15 articles included in this Special Issue describe relatively systematic studies on key issues in coal mine safety monitoring, process control, and disaster prevention. The papers cover multiple aspects of coal mine safety, including controlling mining-induced strata response and stability; regulating gas extraction, coal damage, and failure; determining the mechanisms through which gas adsorption and desorption occur; describing the evolution of spontaneous coal combustion; identifying CO overrun; and identifying the fire source locations, thereby comprehensively reflecting the current research hotspots and technical advances in these fields.
Overall, these studies not only address the dynamic mechanisms through which disasters, surrounding-rock instability, and spontaneous coal combustion occur in coal mines but also emphasize practical applications such as extraction optimization, support improvement, monitoring and early warning, and engineering verification. These studies demonstrate that research on coal mine safety is developing in the direction of integrating the analysis of how multiple factors are coupled, refining process control, and verifying engineering applications. The findings provide important references for improving disaster prevention and control in coal mines and ensuring the safe and efficient extraction of coal resources.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Acknowledgments
We thank all the authors and peer reviewers for their valuable contributions to this Special Issue ‘Monitoring, Process Control and Preventive Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining’. We would also like to express our gratitude to all the staff and people involved in this Special Issue.
Conflicts of Interest
The author declares no conflicts of interest.
List of Contributions
- Methodology for Overburden Delamination Grouting to Mitigate Longwall Mining Surface Subsidence. Processes 2026, 14, 78. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010078.
- Du, J.; Wan, C.; Zhang, J. Analysis of Safety Characteristics of Hydraulic Supports for Roadway Impact Prevention Based on Energy-Absorbing Components. Processes 2026, 14, 60. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010060.
- Xia, Z.; Wang, J.; Dong, W.; Ma, C.; Luan, L. Research on the Stress Response Mechanism and Evolution Law During the Mining Process of Coal Series Normal Faults. Processes 2025, 13, 3988. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123988.
- Du, C.; Shu, L.; Huo, Z.; Guo, Y.; Li, Y. Theoretical Framework and Methodological Study on Intelligent Control of Gas Extraction Pipeline Networks. Processes 2025, 13, 3977. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123977.
- Liu, Z.; Li, Y.; Cui, C.; Yan, Z. Numerical Simulation of Gas–Water Two-Phase Seepage During Coalbed Methane Development in ZhengZhuang Block: A Case Study of Well Z29. Processes 2025, 13, 3593. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113593
- Wang, X.; Shang, Y.; Li, Q.; He, L.; Wang, C. Study on Borehole Trajectory Deviation Characteristics and Influencing Factors in Three-Soft Coal Seams. Processes 2025, 13, 3566. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113566.
- Fu, Y.; Zhao, Z.; Ma, K. Research on the Characteristics and Patterns of Roof Movement in Large-Height Mining Extraction of Shallow Coal Seams. Processes 2025, 13, 3026. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13093026.
- Li, Z.; Xu, G.; Zhang, Z.; Zhao, G. Hydraulic Fracturing Pressure Relief for Pillar Size Optimization in Ultra-Thick Coal Seam Longwall Panels: Design, Monitoring, and Field Verification. Processes 2025, 13, 2975. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092975.
- Liu, W.; Hui, J.; Cheng, X.; Zhang, L.; Li, Y.; Li, C.; Qi, C. Experimental Study on the Activation Energy of Coal Oxidation Under Different Oxygen Concentrations. Processes 2025, 13, 2889. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092889.
- Liu, W.; Qi, C.; Jin, Y.; Cheng, X.; Li, Y.; Li, C.; Zhang, L.; Hui, J. Investigation on the Reasons for CO Overrun in the Return Air Corner of the Fully Mechanized Coal Mine Working Face. Processes 2025, 13, 2869. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092869.
- Bi, Y.; Li, Y.; Xu, F.; Zhu, L. Deformation, Failure Mechanism and Control Technology of Soft Rock Roadways Buried Under Coal Pillars: A Case Study. Processes 2025, 13, 2570. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082570.
- Tian, Y.; Jiang, J.; Deng, Z.; Wang, Y.; Duan, Z.; Ren, W.; Li, Y.; Zhang, G. Measuring the Effects of Gas Pressure and Confining Pressures on Coal: In the View of Time–Frequency Evolutionary Properties and Crack Propagation Behavior. Processes 2025, 13, 2493. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082493.
- Zhao, G.; Cai, Y.; Zhou, T.; Yang, G.; Wang, L.; Zhang, L.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, X. Studies on Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Reaction Mechanism for Methane Adsorption in Long-Flame Coal Modified by Cyclical Microwave Treatment. Processes 2025, 13, 2134. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13072134.
- Fan, Y.; Shu, L.; Song, X.; Gong, H. Study on Air Injection to Enhance Coalbed Gas Extraction. Processes 2025, 13, 1882. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061882.
- Jin, Y.; Li, Y.; Liu, W.; Yang, X.; Cheng, X.; Qi, C.; Li, C.; Hui, J.; Zhang, L. Research Status and Prospect of Coal Spontaneous Combustion Source Location Determination Technology. Processes 2025, 13, 2305. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13072305.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Guo, Y.; Sun, Y.; Chen, J.; Xu, H.; Zhang, Y. Monitoring, Process Control and Preventive Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining. Processes 2026, 14, 1720. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111720
AMA Style
Guo Y, Sun Y, Chen J, Xu H, Zhang Y. Monitoring, Process Control and Preventive Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining. Processes. 2026; 14(11):1720. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111720
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuo, Yangyang, Yingfeng Sun, Jian Chen, Hao Xu, and Yikai Zhang. 2026. "Monitoring, Process Control and Preventive Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining" Processes 14, no. 11: 1720. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111720
APA StyleGuo, Y., Sun, Y., Chen, J., Xu, H., & Zhang, Y. (2026). Monitoring, Process Control and Preventive Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining. Processes, 14(11), 1720. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111720
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