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Scientific Disposal and Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste
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Scientific Disposal and Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Resources and Sustainable Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2025) | Viewed by 8152

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Junmeng Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
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
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Yanli Huang

E-Mail Website
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 Minerals.

Dr. Junmeng Li
Prof. Dr. Yanli Huang
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. Sustainability 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

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

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5167 KB  
Article
Safety Support Design and Sustainable Guarantee Method for Gob-Side Roadway Along Thick Coal Seams
by Peng Huang, Bo Wu, Erkan Topal, Hu Shao, Zhenjiang You, Shuxuan Ma and Ruirui Chen
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010346 - 29 Dec 2025
Viewed by 440
Abstract
Maintaining the stability of the mine roadway is of paramount importance, as it is critical in ensuring the daily operational continuity, personnel safety, long-term economic viability, and sustainability of the entire mining operation. Significant instability can trigger serious disruptions—such as production stoppages, equipment [...] Read more.
Maintaining the stability of the mine roadway is of paramount importance, as it is critical in ensuring the daily operational continuity, personnel safety, long-term economic viability, and sustainability of the entire mining operation. Significant instability can trigger serious disruptions—such as production stoppages, equipment damage, and severe safety incidents—which ultimately compromise the project’s financial returns and future prospects. Therefore, the proactive assessment and rigorous control of roadway stability constitute a foundational element of successful and sustainable resource extraction. In China, thick and extra-thick coal seams constitute over 44% of the total recoverable coal reserves. Consequently, their safe and efficient extraction is considered vital in guaranteeing energy security and enhancing the efficiency of resource utilization. The surrounding rock of gob-side roadways in typical coal seams is often fractured due to high ground stress, intensive mining disturbances, and overhanging goaf roofs. Consequently, asymmetric failure patterns such as bolt failure, steel belt tearing, anchor cable fracture, and shoulder corner convergence are common in these entries, which pose a serious threat to mine safety and sustainable mining operations. This deformation and failure process is associated with several parameters, including the coal seam thickness, mining technology, and surrounding rock properties, and can lead to engineering hazards such as roof subsidence, rib spalling, and floor heave. This study proposes countermeasures against asymmetric deformation affecting gob-side entries under intensive mining pressure during the fully mechanized caving of extra-thick coal seams. This research selects the 8110 working face of a representative coal mine as the case study. Through integrated field investigation and engineering analysis, the principal factors governing entry stability are identified, and effective control strategies are subsequently proposed. An elastic foundation beam model is developed, and the corresponding deflection differential equation is formulated. The deflection and stress distributions of the immediate roof beam are thereby determined. A systematic analysis of the asymmetric deformation mechanism and its principal influencing factors is conducted using the control variable method. A support approach employing a mechanical constant-resistance single prop (MCRSP) has been developed and validated through practical application. The findings demonstrate that the frequently observed asymmetric deformation in gob-side entries is primarily induced by the combined effect of the working face’s front abutment pressure and the lateral pressure originating from the neighboring goaf area. It is found that parameters including the immediate roof thickness, roadway span, and its peak stress have a significant influence on entry convergence. Under both primary and secondary mining conditions, the maximum subsidence shows an inverse relationship with the immediate roof thickness, while exhibiting a positive correlation with both the roadway span and the peak stress. Based on the theoretical analysis, an advanced support scheme, which centers on the application of an MCRSP, is designed. Field monitoring data confirm that the peak roof subsidence and two-side closure are successfully limited to 663 mm and 428 mm, respectively. This support method leads to a notable reduction in roof separation and surrounding rock deformation, thereby establishing a theoretical and technical foundation for the green and safe mining of deep extra-thick coal seams. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Disposal and Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste)
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17 pages, 2600 KB  
Article
The Distribution of Rare Earth Elements in Coal Fly Ash Determined by LA-ICP-MS and Implications for Its Economic Significance
by Shuliu Wang, Wenhui Huang and Weihua Ao
Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010275 - 2 Jan 2025
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4456
Abstract
Coal fly ash represents a potential resource of some critical elements, including rare earth elements (REEs), which are retained and concentrated during coal combustion. Understanding the distribution and modes of occurrence of REEs within fly ash is vital to developing effective recovery methods [...] Read more.
Coal fly ash represents a potential resource of some critical elements, including rare earth elements (REEs), which are retained and concentrated during coal combustion. Understanding the distribution and modes of occurrence of REEs within fly ash is vital to developing effective recovery methods and enhancing their economic value. Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was applied to investigate the in situ elemental constituents of coal fly ash phases, including aluminosilicates, Ca-(Fe)-enriched aluminosilicates, Fe-oxides, and SiO2/Quartz, in order to explore the distribution of REEs in combustion products. LA-ICP-MS results show that V, Cr, and Nb are mainly enriched in Ca-Ti-enriched aluminosilicates with trace element concentrations referenced to the original fly ash composition. Lithium is primarily enriched in SiO2 glassy grains, followed by Ca, (Fe)-enriched aluminosilicates. Co, Ni, and Cu present a concomitant distribution in the Fe-enriched phases, such as Fe-oxides and Fe-enriched aluminosilicates. The chondrite normalized REE distribution patterns show characteristics of LREE enrichment and Eu-negative anomalies in most phases, while the REE patterns of SiO2 glassy grains have a distinct positive anomaly in Sm, Gd, and Dy, coupled with a deficiency in LREEs. Compared to feed coal, elements such as Li, V, Cr, Co, Ni, and Nb and REEs are enriched 2~10 times in various phases of fly ash, with REEs notably concentrated six times higher in aluminosilicates and Ca-Ti-enriched aluminosilicates than the original coal. This study further discusses the feasibility, calibration principles, and advantages of using LA-ICP-MS to determine REE distribution, as well as the economic implications of REE extraction from coal fly ash. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Disposal and Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste)
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19 pages, 11215 KB  
Article
Study on Fracture Evolution and Water-Conducting Fracture Zone Height beneath the Sandstone Fissure Confined Aquifer
by Jiabo Xu, Daming Yang, Zhenquan Zhang, Yun Sun and Linshuang Zhao
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 6006; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146006 - 14 Jul 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1979
Abstract
Studying the evolution law of overlying rock fissures and predicting the development height of water-conducting fissure zones is the key to preventing roof water damage, protecting mine water resources, and realizing the safe and sustainable development of the mine. To study the overburden [...] Read more.
Studying the evolution law of overlying rock fissures and predicting the development height of water-conducting fissure zones is the key to preventing roof water damage, protecting mine water resources, and realizing the safe and sustainable development of the mine. To study the overburden fracture evolution law of coal mining under aquifer conditions, the 1402 working face of Longwangzhuang Mine in Shaanmian Coalfield serves as the engineering background based on the Fractal Theory and similar simulation technology; this paper analyzes the fracture evolution of overburden rock and the development law of Water-Conducting Fracture Zone (WCFZ) during the advancing of working face, and further puts forward a model for the location discrimination of overburden fracture based on plate theory. The results indicate that post-mining, overburden rock failure assumes a trapezoidal shape, and fractures around the cutting hole and the side of the working face fully develop, while those in the middle of the goaf tend to compact. The distribution of the fracture network of mining strata at different advancing distances has good self-similarity, and the fractal dimension of the fracture network of overlying rock can be divided into three stages: ascending dimension, decreasing dimension, and stable phase. The II 1 coal seam fracture does not spread to the Sandstone Fissure Confined Aquifer. These findings provide strategic guidance for protecting mine aquifer water resources, preventing and controlling roof water inrush, and ensuring safe and sustainable production within the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Disposal and Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste)
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