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Advanced Technologies in Intelligent and Sustainable Coal Mining
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Advanced Technologies in Intelligent and Sustainable Coal Mining

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 1780

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yong Yuan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mine, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: theory and technology of intelligent mining; adaptive control of equipment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Cun Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: intelligent mining; green mining; deep mining; precision mining; digital mine; mining equipment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Bo Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: intelligent mining; green mining; deep mining; precision mining; digital mine; mining equipment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Amidst the restructuring of global energy and the pursuit of "dual carbon" goals, the coal industry is undergoing unprecedented technological transformation. Traditional coal mining methods are confronted with numerous challenges, including low efficiency, multiple safety hazards, and significant environmental impacts, while the innovative development of advanced coal mining technologies provides crucial support for industrial transformation and upgrading. This Special Issue aims to systematically review the current state of cutting-edge international coal mining technologies, thoroughly explore the theoretical foundations and technical approaches for intelligent, green, and efficient mining, and provide both a platform for academic exchange and technical solutions for the sustainable development of the global coal industry.

This Special Issue calls for original research articles that advance our understanding of cutting-edge developments in advanced coal mining methods and technologies. Potential topics for submissions include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Intelligent mining systems and equipment;

(2) Green mining theories and technologies;

(3) Deep and complex geological condition mining technologies;

(4) Precision mining methods and equipment;

(5) Digital mine and intelligent decision systems.

Prof. Dr. Yong Yuan
Prof. Dr. Cun Zhang
Dr. Bo Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • intelligent mining
  • green mining
  • deep mining
  • precision mining
  • digital mine
  • mining equipment

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 7737 KB  
Article
Residual Decomposition for Lithotype-Aware Characterization of Rock Mechanical Parameters from Well Logs Under Lithological Heterogeneity
by Xugang Liu, Binghua Dang, Lei Li, Weixian Zhang and Wenze Zhou
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(10), 4656; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16104656 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 177
Abstract
Accurate characterization of rock mechanical parameters in heterogeneous geological formations remains challenging because lithological variations alter the relationship between logging signals and geomechanical responses. Existing approaches, including empirical formulas, pure machine learning models, and feature-augmented learning methods, often compress these variations into a [...] Read more.
Accurate characterization of rock mechanical parameters in heterogeneous geological formations remains challenging because lithological variations alter the relationship between logging signals and geomechanical responses. Existing approaches, including empirical formulas, pure machine learning models, and feature-augmented learning methods, often compress these variations into a single predictor, which can lead to biased estimates. To address this issue, this study proposes a heterogeneity-aware residual learning framework for rock mechanical parameter characterization from well logs. The method separates the prediction into a global component and a lithotype-conditioned correction, allowing lithological effects to be represented as structured residual behavior. This framework was developed and validated on deep coal-bearing formations in the Ordos Basin. By accounting for lithology-controlled response shifts, it produces predictions that better follow observed geological controls. Cross-well validation demonstrates reduced lithotype-induced bias and stable generalization within the studied formation. Further analysis shows that the performance gain is linked to the residual decomposition structure rather than to the addition of lithotype information alone. Compared with single-stage feature augmentation, the main advantage of the proposed framework is its ability to reduce systematic bias in lithological transition zones while preserving a transparent global–residual structure. Its demonstrated applicability is limited to wells within the studied coal-bearing formation, and broader transferability requires further validation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Intelligent and Sustainable Coal Mining)
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17 pages, 3495 KB  
Article
Parameter Optimization and Engineering Effect of Cut-and-Fill Mining Technology
by Xiaolei Lv, Zhiqiang Wang, Baowei Meng, Weiping Shi, Yaohua Yv and Changxiang Wang
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 2391; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052391 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 319
Abstract
To address the limitations of existing subsidence control technologies in coal mining, this study systematically investigates the fundamental principles of cut-and-fill mining, the stability mechanism of the filling body, and the influence law of key parameters on mining engineering effects, through a comprehensive [...] Read more.
To address the limitations of existing subsidence control technologies in coal mining, this study systematically investigates the fundamental principles of cut-and-fill mining, the stability mechanism of the filling body, and the influence law of key parameters on mining engineering effects, through a comprehensive research framework integrating theoretical analysis, similar material simulation and numerical simulation. Firstly, the mechanical characteristics of horizontal and diagonal shear failure of gangue pillars are revealed via theoretical derivation. It is clarified that the diagonal stability of the gangue pillar can be guaranteed when its aspect ratio is ≤0.5, and the lateral constraint of metal mesh can effectively enhance its horizontal stability. Secondly, based on a physical model with a size similarity ratio of 1:100, the overburden failure characteristics are obtained: only local cracks appear in the immediate roof and the basic roof presents gentle subsidence after cut-and-fill mining, which directly verifies the effective control effect of this technology on mining-induced overburden movement and surface subsidence. On this basis, multiple sets of orthogonal tests are designed using FLAC3D software (5.0) to analyze the effects of roof cutting width, filling width and coal seam thickness on roof displacement and filling area stress. Combined with grey correlation analysis, it is determined that coal seam thickness is the most critical factor affecting the mining effect, with the correlation coefficients for roof displacement and filling area stress reaching 0.79 and 0.93, respectively. The research shows that the parameter combination of 10 m roof cutting width + 10 m filling width (Group 10-10-X) can achieve the optimal balance between subsidence control efficiency and filling engineering benefit; for working faces with higher requirements for surface subsidence control, the combination of 5 m roof cutting width + 10 m filling width is recommended. The research results clarify the action mechanism of cut-and-fill mining, optimize the key engineering parameters, and provide a solid theoretical basis and technical support for the engineering popularization of this technology and high-precision surface subsidence control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Intelligent and Sustainable Coal Mining)
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22 pages, 14271 KB  
Article
Fracture Instability Law of Thick Hard Direct Covering Roof and Fracturing and Releasing Promotion Technology
by Xingping Lai, Chuan Ai, Helong Gu, Hao Wang and Chong Jia
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 806; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020806 - 13 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 348
Abstract
Because of its strong bearing capacity and large size, a thick and hard roof is the main source of strong ground pressure in a stope, and its breaking and migration mechanism and effective control are very important for realizing safe and efficient mining [...] Read more.
Because of its strong bearing capacity and large size, a thick and hard roof is the main source of strong ground pressure in a stope, and its breaking and migration mechanism and effective control are very important for realizing safe and efficient mining in coal mines. In this paper, by constructing a numerical model that fully considers the actual occurrence conditions of such a roof, the control law of the occurrence conditions of a thick and hard roof on its fracture law and strata behavior is systematically studied, and the control mechanism of the movement and hydraulic fracturing of this kind of roof is revealed. The results show that (1) the fracture process of a thick hard roof is characterized by three stages—crack initiation, extension, and overall instability—and the “pressure arch” structure formed by the overlying huge hard rock stratum is the fundamental force source leading to strong ground pressure; (2) the roof thickness and horizon significantly control the stress distribution and fracture behavior of coal and rock mass, and the peak stress of coal and rock mass is positively correlated with the roof thickness, but negatively correlated with its horizon; (3) with the increase in roof thickness, the dominant fracture mechanism changes from tension type to tension–shear composite type, which leads to a significant increase in fracture step. Hydraulic fracturing technology can effectively cut off the “pressure arch” structure and optimize the stress field of surrounding rock. After fracturing, the first weighting step and weighting strength are reduced by 36% and 38.1%, respectively. An industrial test shows that a fracturing treatment realizes timely and orderly roof caving and achieves the controllable weakening and safe promotion of the thick and hard roof. This study provides a solid theoretical basis and a successful engineering practice model for roof disaster prevention and control under similar geological conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Intelligent and Sustainable Coal Mining)
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18 pages, 5228 KB  
Article
Optimized Green Cut-and-Fill Mining Method for Subsidence Control and Material Self-Sufficiency
by Lixin Wang, Qingheng Gu, Xinying Song, Naiqiang Zhao, Xuesheng Liu, Weiyao Guo and Changxiang Wang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(24), 12923; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152412923 - 8 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 476
Abstract
In the face of the urgent need for sustainable practices in the coal industry, we propose a novel green cut-and-fill mining method aimed at achieving material self-sufficiency and mitigating overburden subsidence. This method leverages the goaf roof as an in situ filling material, [...] Read more.
In the face of the urgent need for sustainable practices in the coal industry, we propose a novel green cut-and-fill mining method aimed at achieving material self-sufficiency and mitigating overburden subsidence. This method leverages the goaf roof as an in situ filling material, integrating long-wall caving mining efficiency with partial filling techniques. Through laboratory analog material modeling, numerical simulations, and structural mechanics modeling, we compare the performance of cut-and-fill mining and traditional caving mining methods. The results show that the cut-and-fill method offers more uniform and controlled deformation behavior. Specifically, vertical and horizontal displacements along 40 m survey lines are significantly reduced, with a maximum reduction on the order of millimeters, compared to caving mining. Furthermore, the floor stress concentration coefficient is lower, and the total number of fractures decreases, with shear fractures reduced by 8.8% and tensile fractures reduced by 66.9%. The gangue column in the cut-and-fill method effectively supports the goaf roof, preventing fracture formation and extending the deformation time. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the cut-and-fill method for subsidence control, suggesting its potential for achieving green and sustainable coal mining practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Intelligent and Sustainable Coal Mining)
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