Advances in Coal Processing, Utilization, and Process Safety

Dear Colleagues,

The coal industry plays a pivotal role in the global energy supply chain, yet it faces increasingly severe challenges related to safety, environmental concerns, and operational efficiency. Although coal remains a critical energy resource, ensuring its safe extraction, processing, and utilization is of paramount importance. Key issues such as mine safety engineering, gas flow dynamics in coal seams (including rock mechanics, fluid dynamics, seepage theory, and gas dynamics), and the prediction and prevention of coal–gas compound dynamic disasters are at the forefront of current research and technological innovation. Concurrently, advancements in mineral processing and utilization are essential for enhancing the sustainability and economic efficiency of mining operations. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving productivity and safety in mining operations while minimizing risks to personnel and infrastructure.

In this Special Issue on “Advances in Coal Processing, Utilization, and Process Safety”, we seek to gather high-quality research focused on the latest developments in mine safety engineering, coal seam gas migration theory, mineral processing, and utilization technologies. The Issue aims to explore new methods, models, and technologies that enhance process safety and provide predictive insights into potential risks in coal mining and mineral processing.

Topics include, but are not limited to the following:

• The latest advancements in mineral processing technologies;
• Safety and efficiency optimization in mineral utilization;
• Innovative methods in mine safety engineering and disaster prevention;
• Mechanisms and prediction models for coal–gas dynamic disasters;
• Gas migration theory in coal seams and its applications in coal mine safety;
• Safety and emergency management systems for coal extraction operations;
• Simulation and predictive modeling of coal seam gas outbursts and rock bursts;
• New technologies in coal processing and their implications for process safety;
• Research on coal utilization and its safety impacts;
• Environmental and safety considerations in coal–gas extraction and utilization;
• The coal spontaneous combustion mechanism.

Dr. Feng Du
Prof. Dr. Leilei Si
Prof. Dr. Chaojun Fan
Dr. Qiming Zhuo
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. Processes 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.