Topic Editors

School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Dr. Ming Xia
College of Civil Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Safe Mining Techniques of Coal Mines, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China
Dr. Wenxue Chen
Department of Civil & Building Engineering, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada

Mining Safety and Sustainability, 2nd Volume

Abstract submission deadline
28 February 2025
Manuscript submission deadline
30 May 2025
Viewed by
5790

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic is a continuation of the previous successful Topic, "Mining Safety and Sustainability" (https://www.mdpi.com/topics/Mining_Safety). The mining industry has provided energy and raw material guarantees for global economic development and social progress. Especially in recent years, with the increasing improvement of infrastructure facilities and people's living standards, the demand for mineral resources/energy has gradually increased. However, with the increasing depth of mining, safety and sustainability are becoming ever bigger challenges for the mining industry. Detecting the mineral exploration environment, improving the safety of all processes of mining operations, developing intelligent mining equipment, and ensuring the optimization of the human–machine–environment in all mining processes have become necessary and important conditions for promoting mining works in terms of both safety and sustainability. This research topic aims to provide a platform for new research and recent advances in the safety and sustainability of mining. We welcome submissions by experts and scholars on the topics of safety mining, sustainable mining, mineral resource management, technology of intelligent mining, research and development of intelligent mining equipment, geomechanics and geophysics, green filling, mining methods, and sustainable mining. The areas to be covered in this research topic may include, but are not limited to:

General Topics:

  • Safety mining;
  • Sustainable mining;
  • Geomechanics and geophysics related mining;
  • Sustainable development;
  • Intelligent mining;
  • Mineral resources management;
  • Safety management of mines;
  • Resource efficiency;
  • Diversified exploration of mineral resources;
  • Mining method;
  • Mining ergonomic;
  • Human–machine–environment system.

Particular Themes:

  • Plan, survey, development, utilization, and protection of mineral resources;
  • Rules for construction of mines;
  • Green exploration in mines;
  • New intelligent equipment in mines;
  • New methods of intelligent mining;
  • Safety in production and intelligent mining;
  • Protection of mineral resources;
  • Ecological investigation and restoration of mining areas;
  • Land use and environmental management in mining areas;
  • Strategic management and control of mineral resources;
  • Safe and sustainable development of rare mineral resources;
  • Intelligent operation and maintenance of the whole life cycle of mine production;
  • Sustainable mining and new trends in mining industry;
  • Safety issues in sustainable mine construction;
  • Preparation of flexible materials for mining equipment;
  • Safety monitoring;
  • Fusion and control technology for intelligent human–computer interaction;
  • Mining technology in deep earth, deep sea, and deep space;
  • New technology to improve the efficiency of ore mining;
  • Transparency technology of abnormal area in mines;
  • Application of geothermal energy in deep mines;
  • Safe and sustainable mining in harsh environment;
  • New technology of mineral acquisition, separation, treatment, refining, and smelting;
  • Zero gravity and microgravity mining;
  • Development of key materials of mining operations in deep space and deep sea;
  • Positioning for mining equipment and heading control technology;
  • Management and scientific decision of safety production in mines;
  • Harmless treatment of solid waste in mines;
  • Green and sustainable treatment of mine waste;
  • Mine safety and personnel health.

Prof. Dr. Longjun Dong
Dr. Ming Xia
Prof. Dr. Yanlin Zhao
Dr. Wenxue Chen
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • sustainable mining
  • safety mining
  • management of mineral resource
  • metallic and non-metallic minerals
  • green mining
  • risk management of mines
  • intelligent mining and mines
  • ecological restoration of mines
  • mining equipment
  • equipment and material of mining
  • sustainable and safe production
  • life cycle of mines
  • mining technology
  • beneficiation technology
  • geo-mechanics and geo-physics

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Energies
energies
3.0 6.2 2008 17.5 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Minerals
minerals
2.2 4.1 2011 18 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Safety
safety
1.8 3.2 2015 27.3 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Sensors
sensors
3.4 7.3 2001 16.8 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Sustainability
sustainability
3.3 6.8 2009 20 Days CHF 2400 Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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17 pages, 6878 KiB  
Article
Study on Coal Seam Roof Failure Based on Optical Fiber Acoustic Sensing and the Parallel Electrical Method
by Zilong She, Bo Wang, Yan Zhang, Linfeng Zeng, Liujun Xie and Sihongren Shen
Energies 2024, 17(21), 5471; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215471 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 683
Abstract
As China enters the stage of deep coal mining, the accidents caused by roof failure pose increasingly serious threats. Current research on roof failure zones often use single methods, but single geophysical data may result in multisolution issues during interpretation. This paper employed [...] Read more.
As China enters the stage of deep coal mining, the accidents caused by roof failure pose increasingly serious threats. Current research on roof failure zones often use single methods, but single geophysical data may result in multisolution issues during interpretation. This paper employed similar simulation experiments, exploring the strain failure characteristics and the changes in apparent resistivity caused by stress variations, taking the 11-3106 working face of a mining area as the research object. Through optical fiber strain and apparent resistivity, the locations and degrees of fracture in postmining rock strata were identified. The feasibility of using distributed optical fiber sensing and the parallel electrical method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of mining-induced fractures was verified. The results showed that optical fiber strain increased significantly at the location of rock fracture, with apparent resistivity anomalies rising correspondingly. The peak strain region corresponded well with the region of apparent resistivity anomalies. In a similar simulation with a geometric ratio of 1:100, the height of the caving zone was measured to be 31.65 cm, with a caving-to-mining ratio of 6.33. In the field working face, the caving zone height was 29.47 m, with a caving-to-mining ratio of 6.01, consistent with the actual conditions of the 11-3106 working face. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Mining Safety and Sustainability, 2nd Volume)
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15 pages, 3611 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Factors Affecting Emergency Response Linkage in Coal Mine Gas Explosion Accidents
by Jialin Liu, Qing Ye, Zhenzhen Jia, Yingqian Yang and Tingting Xu
Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6325; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156325 - 24 Jul 2024
Viewed by 947
Abstract
To analyze the influencing factors of the emergency linkage of gas explosion accidents and their causal relationships, a method for analyzing the influencing factors of the emergency linkage of gas explosion accidents is proposed based on a hierarchical holographic model and Bayesian networks. [...] Read more.
To analyze the influencing factors of the emergency linkage of gas explosion accidents and their causal relationships, a method for analyzing the influencing factors of the emergency linkage of gas explosion accidents is proposed based on a hierarchical holographic model and Bayesian networks. Firstly, based on the hierarchical holographic model to determine the main influencing factors of the accident emergency linkage, we constructed the topological structure model of accident control, secondary disaster, and emergency rescue, and used the triangular fuzzy number to assess the a priori probability and conditional probability of the influencing factors. Next, the most likely factors affecting the accident emergency linkage are quickly identified by combining Bayesian diagnostic reasoning. Finally, sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the key factors affecting the accident emergency linkage. The results show that the probability of normal operation of gas explosion accident emergency linkage is 78.1%, but when the coal mine environment changes, especially when multiple influencing factors occur simultaneously, the probability of normal operation of accident emergency linkage decreases significantly. Through causal analysis, the degree of influence on the operation of the accident emergency linkage in different situations can be deduced. Through diagnostic analysis, it can be seen that the emergency linkage operation is more sensitive to the two factors of the ventilation and smoke extraction system response and gas over limit, so it is necessary to pay attention to its important role in accident treatment. Meanwhile, the sensitivity analysis shows that the response of the ventilation and smoke extraction system, the accuracy of disaster sharing, the gas over limit, the technical level of the operators, and the team rescue experience are the key factors affecting the emergency response linkage in accidents. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the improvement of the emergency response linkage mechanism of coal mine gas explosion accidents as well as the decision-making of the accidents, minimize the losses of the accidents, and promote the sustainable development of the coal mining industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Mining Safety and Sustainability, 2nd Volume)
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16 pages, 2310 KiB  
Article
Hydrogeological and Mining Considerations in the Design of a Pumping Station in a Shaft of a Closed Black Coal Mine
by Kajetan d’Obyrn, Paweł Kamiński, Damian Cień, Sebastian Jendrysik and Dariusz Prostański
Energies 2024, 17(13), 3297; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17133297 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 847
Abstract
In an overwhelming number of cases, the closure of a coal mine in Poland, for safety reasons, requires the installation of a pumping station and systems for the drainage of inflowing water due to its connection via roadways, goaves, or water-leaking pillars with [...] Read more.
In an overwhelming number of cases, the closure of a coal mine in Poland, for safety reasons, requires the installation of a pumping station and systems for the drainage of inflowing water due to its connection via roadways, goaves, or water-leaking pillars with other adjacent active mines. Due to operational costs, stationary pumping stations are being replaced with submersible pumping stations, wherever the geological/mining conditions allow this. The key factors to be considered when designing a submersible pumping station include the estimated water influx and the storage and emergency reservoir fill-up time. If the water level in the emergency reservoir exceeds the level of the maximum ordinate, there is the risk of water flooding an adjacent active mine, which poses a serious safety risk to this mine. A pumping station design must ensure that water can be pumped out also in emergency situations and must ensure permanent control over the level of the water table. The pumped-out water, after potential treatment, can be utilized as technological water in industrial plants. In the designed pumping station, it is also feasible to establish underground pumped-storage hydropower. This would enable the storage of energy from renewable sources, thereby contributing to CO2 emission reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Mining Safety and Sustainability, 2nd Volume)
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11 pages, 2741 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on Ultra-Low Concentration Methane Regenerative Thermal Oxidation
by Junhui Yang, Liguo Yang, Jida Zhang, Xiaoxu Fan, Sheng Li, Luyao Zhang and Weijie Zhang
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2109; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092109 - 28 Apr 2024
Viewed by 995
Abstract
As a major coal country, China faces the issue of significant gas emissions during the coal mining process. This study aims to improve the utilization efficiency of mine gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote the low-carbon and green transformation of the coal [...] Read more.
As a major coal country, China faces the issue of significant gas emissions during the coal mining process. This study aims to improve the utilization efficiency of mine gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote the low-carbon and green transformation of the coal industry. A 10 kW gas regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) experimental system was constructed. The effects of initial methane concentration, low-temperature flue gas proportion, and operating load on combustion temperature, methane oxidation rate, high-temperature flue gas energy, and system thermal efficiency were studied. The results show that when the combustion temperature is below 600 °C, the CH4 combustion reaction cannot proceed effectively, and the system temperature continuously decreases and cannot be maintained stably. The experiment determines the stable operating methane concentration range of the RTO. In this experimental system, the lower limit of the initial methane concentration is 0.28%, corresponding to an 86% methane oxidation rate. As the initial methane concentration decreases, the combustion temperature also decreases, and the methane oxidation rate follows suit. The higher the low-temperature flue gas proportion, the higher the combustion temperature, and the system’s thermal efficiency and output heat decrease with the increase in the low-temperature flue gas proportion. This experiment explores multiple factors affecting regenerative thermal oxidation, providing a basis for ensuring the safe and stable operation of the system and its optimization. Improving the thermal insulation and heat exchange performance of the storage body can expand the lower limit of the initial methane concentration, thereby increasing the stability and thermal efficiency of the system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Mining Safety and Sustainability, 2nd Volume)
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14 pages, 10396 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Time–Space Evolution of Acoustic Emissions from a Coal-like Material Composite Model and an Analysis of the Effect of the Dip Angle on the Bursting Tendency
by Pengxiang Zhao, Jian Wen, Shugang Li, Weidong Lu, Yongchen He, Fang Lou and Laolao Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1711; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051711 - 20 Feb 2024
Viewed by 993
Abstract
Rock bursts pose a grievous risk to the health and lives of miners and to the industry. One factor that affects rock bursts is the dip angle of the coal seam. Because of the uniquely high gas content of the coal in a [...] Read more.
Rock bursts pose a grievous risk to the health and lives of miners and to the industry. One factor that affects rock bursts is the dip angle of the coal seam. Because of the uniquely high gas content of the coal in a mine in Shanxi Province, China, coal specimens were obtained from this mine to produce coal–rock combination specimens and test the effects of various seam inclinations. Using a DYD-10 uniaxial compression system and a PCI-8 acoustic emission (AE) signal acquisition system, we investigated the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of the burst tendency of specimens with different coal seam inclination angles (0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 35°, 40°, and 45°). Uniaxial pressure was applied to the specimens, and we found that, as the inclination angle increased, the coal–rock combination specimens exhibited structural damage and destabilization, which was attributed to the generation of an interface slip phenomenon. In all tests, the coal exhibited greater damage than the rock. There was an energy convergence at the coal–rock interlayer interface, which was the main carrier for the accumulated energy. The impact energy dissipation index is defined according to the energy dissipation properties of the loading process of coal–rock composites. As the inclination angle increased, the impact energy dissipation index, energy storage limit, compressive strength, elastic modulus, and other indexes gradually decreased. This effect was strongest where the angles were 40° and 45°. The indexes used to assess the impact propensity decreased to a notable degree at these angles, revealing that the burst tendency of coal–rock is curtailed as the inclination angle increases. The results of this research are of great importance to the early evaluation of mine burst risks and the sustainable development of coal utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Mining Safety and Sustainability, 2nd Volume)
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