Scientific Disposal and Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2025) | Viewed by 839

Special Issue Editors

State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu, China
Interests: filling mining; water resource protection; ecological environmental protection of mining; solid waste disposal and resource utilization in mines
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Guest Editor
School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China
Interests: filling mining; water resource conservation; ecological environmental protection of mining; waste disposal and resource utilization in mines
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of coal resources is a significant practical requirement to ensure national energy security. However, the process of coal mining and utilization generates a large amount of coal-based solid waste, such as coal gangue, fly ash, desulfurization gypsum, and slag, with the emission volume ranking first among industrial solid waste in China. The substantial emissions of bulk-coal-based solid waste not only occupy a significant amount of land resources but also pose significant pollution risks to the ecological environment, including soil, water bodies, and the atmosphere, seriously threatening public safety and health. This waste is considered an industrial residue that combines solid, gas, and liquid hazards. Addressing the scientific disposal and resource utilization of coal-based solid waste while developing coal resources is an urgent and necessary challenge for the high-quality development of the coal industry. Therefore, this Special Issue focuses on soliciting manuscripts related to the generation, basic characteristics, scientific disposal, and resource utilization of coal-based solid waste, delving into key theories, new technologies, and methods in the latter two to obtain innovative solutions for the harmonious coexistence of mining and environmental sustainability.

This Special Issue is currently seeking articles in the fields of coal mining, geological engineering, environmental science, and engineering mechanics, among others. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

  • Basic characteristics of coal-based solid waste;
  • Environmental impacts of emissions of coal-based solid waste;
  • Low-carbon and ecological disposal of coal-based solid waste;
  • Backfill disposal of coal-based solid waste;
  • Resource utilization of coal-based solid waste.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Sustainability.

Dr. Junmeng Li
Prof. Dr. Yanli Huang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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

  • environmental impact
  • mining wastewater
  • mine waste
  • solid waste disposal
  • sustainable development
  • environmental assessment
  • recycling

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 1732 KB  
Article
Application of Jigging Beneficiation for Processing of Waste from Post-Mining Heaps for Circular Economy Purposes
by Daniel Kowol, Piotr Matusiak, Rafał Baron, Paweł Friebe, Sebastian Jendrysik, Joanna Bigda, Agata Czardybon and Karina Ignasiak
Minerals 2025, 15(11), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15111108 - 24 Oct 2025
Viewed by 306
Abstract
The article presents the results of research and development work conducted as part of the H2GEO project, aimed at creating a comprehensive technology for the processing of post-mining coal waste heaps. The core of the solution is a mobile density separation system based [...] Read more.
The article presents the results of research and development work conducted as part of the H2GEO project, aimed at creating a comprehensive technology for the processing of post-mining coal waste heaps. The core of the solution is a mobile density separation system based on a pulsating jig, enabling effective recovery of carbonaceous and mineral fractions. Laboratory experiments assessed the impact of key process parameters—such as sieve slot size, pulsation frequency, and enrichment time—on the efficiency and accuracy of separation for different grain size classes. The most favorable results were obtained using a 2.5 mm screen, a pulsation frequency of 60 min−1, and extended enrichment time, which ensured high-quality separation and low ash content in the carbon-bearing product. The findings supported the design of a new industrial separator (jig) equipped with advanced control systems, facilitating the production of homogeneous fractions suitable for further processing into hydrogen, geopolymers, and construction materials. The proposed solution aligns with circular economy principles, promoting waste reuse, environmental hazard mitigation, and the revitalization of degraded post-industrial areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Disposal and Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste)
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