Key fundamental theories and integrated technical pathways toward zero-carbon coal mining

WU Gang; ZHANG Fukai; ZHANG Lei; WU Enguo; LIANG Minfu

doi:10.13247/j.cnki.jcumt.20250272

Abstract：Under the"dual carbon"strategy,exploring the path of zero-carbon coal development is of great significance for ensuring energy security and promoting a green,low-carbon transition.This study focuses on the collaborative synergistic energy optimization,coal mine methane(CMM)drainage and utilization,CO2 sequestration and ecological carbon sequestration,establish-ing a comprehensive technological system integrating"emission reduction,energy substitution,CO2 geological storage and carbon recycling".Drawing on multi-disciplinary theory and field data from the Jin-Shaan-Mongolia mining cluster,the implementation roadmap,synergy mechanisms and ap-plicability limits were systematically analyzed,and a scalable route from laboratory validation to commercial deployment was identified.The results show that coordinated optimization of hybrid en-ergy systems significantly increases renewable energy accommodation and system flexibility.CMM drainage,coupled with a carbon market mechanism,shifts from a safety-only measure to a dual-purpose operation delivering both resource recovery and verified emission reductions.CO2 storage based on backfill in goaf combined with in-situ mineralization opens a new avenue for utilizing mined-out space.The ecological carbon sequestration,via land form reshaping and stress-resilient vegetation,establishes a viable pathway for transforming post-mining landscapes into active carbon sinks.The proposed system offers a comprehensive solution for zero carbon coal mining,and the ro-bust safety assessment of complex geological storage,techno-economic optimization and standard-ized protocols are recommended for future work,providing a technical benchmark for integrating the coal sector into the evolving energy system.