sustainability
Review
Review on Improvements to the Safety Level of Coal Mines by
Applying Intelligent Coal Mining
Xuefei Wu 1,2 , Hongxia Li 3, * , Baoli Wang 2 and Mengbo Zhu 1,2
Citation: Wu, X.; Li, H.; Wang, B.;
Zhu, M. Review on Improvements to
the Safety Level of Coal Mines by
Applying Intelligent Coal Mining.
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400.
https://doi.org/10.3390/
su142416400
Academic Editors: Hui Liu,
Longxing Yu, Fuqiang Yang and
Chao Chen
Received: 14 October 2022
Accepted: 2 December 2022
Published: 7 December 2022
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Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.
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This article is an open access article
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conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
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4.0/).
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416400
1 College of Energy Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
2 Xi’an Research Institute, China Coal Technology & Engineering Group Corp., Xi’an 710077, China
3 School of Management, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
* Correspondence: lihx@xust.edu.cn
Abstract: China suffers the worst coal mine disasters in the world. Lots of miners lose their lives
or suffer occupational injury. Fortunately, China is developing vigorously intelligent coal mining,
which is the combination of traditional coal mining and the latest technology. Mining expects to
relieve or solve coal mine safety, health and intensive labor issues and ensure energy security by
applying intelligent coal mining. This paper fully reviews the promotion of intelligent coal mining
to coal mine safety. Firstly, a brief history of intelligent coal mining is introduced. Then the safety
motivation of the intelligent coal mine is discussed in four perspectives, including current the coal
mine safety tendency, the positive impact of mechanized coal mining on safety, coal mine safety
conception of “Mechanization Replacement and Automation Reduction”, and government initiatives.
The intelligent prevention and control scheme of major disasters matching intelligent coal mining
are also reviewed in the present paper, including intelligent gas extraction, intelligent coal and gas
outburst/rock-burst prevention, and the real-time monitoring of water diversion fissure zone. Finally,
the positive impacts of intelligent coal mining on safety are evaluated. Compared with traditional
longwall face, the number of miners of coal cutting shift is reduced from 20~30 to 5~7, and the
working environment is greatly improved. The statistics have shown that the employees in large
coal mines, the mortality rates per 106 tons of coal output, and the number of deaths decreased by
33%, 72.2%, and 66.9% during the period of rapid development of intelligent mining technology
(2016–2021). In the future, more and more key technologies and management skills should be
introduced, aiming at workless mining and the intrinsic safety of the coal mine. This paper provides a
way for safety researchers around the world to understand the tendency of coal mine safety in China.
Keywords: intelligent coal mining; safety level; safety conception; national policy; mining disaster
1. Introduction
China is relatively rich in coal and poor in oil, and it is low in natural gas and
suffers from uranium deficiency [1]. This energy condition and the technical and economic
feasibility of coal mining have determined the status of coal resources as the main energy
in China in the long term [2]. Meanwhile, serious coal mine safety concerns have arisen.
Previous studies have revealed that the factors of miners’ unsafe behavior account for more
than 95% in coal mine accidents [3–5]. Various advanced safety management methods
have been implemented in coal mines for many years that greatly improved our coal mine
safety level. However, coal mine safety accidents are still high compared with other major
coal producers due to the fact that 90% of coal is mined underground. Underground coal
mining means more deadly hazards due to confined space, toxic and harmful gases, mine
water, machinery, surrounding rock, and other dangerous sources [6,7].
In addition, the mining depth is extended at an average rate of 10–25 m per year [8,9].
Deep underground, the working conditions deteriorate sharply, including high geo-stress,
geo-temperature, karst water pressure, and gas content. This means that coal mines will be
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 2 of 17

exposed to greater safety risks and miners’ productivity and safety vigilance will fall, thus
posing a great challenge to national energy security and coal mine safety [10]. Currently,
the main coal-producing countries in the world are using a new generation of intelligent
technology to improve the safety level of coal mines [11–15]. China has an urgent need to
strengthen the management and technology to guarantee secure, efficient, eco-friendly coal
mining. The intelligent coal mining has gained popularity in industry and academia in
recent years. Coal mine operators and government authorities hope to reduce the number
of coal miners and improve the safety level of coal mines by implementing intelligent coal
mining technology.
Several system frameworks of intelligent coal mining have been proposed by renowned
mining experts. Lots of latest technologies, such as Internet+ [16,17], 5G [18,19], Artificial
Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Cloud Services, have been applied to coal mining.
Huang (2016) proposed an unmanned mining production mode with “unmanned operation
and manned patrol” through visualized remote control [20]. Fan (2017) discussed the key
technologies of intelligent integrated mechanized coal mining, including automation mov-
ing and remote manual control of hydraulic support, shearer memory cutting and remote
manual control, longwall face video monitoring, automatic centralized control of longwall
face, intelligent integrated liquid supply control, and automatic pre-supporting [21]. Wang
et al. (2019) summarized four kinds of intelligent coal mining modes which are suitable
to different geology and coal seam conditions. There is the intelligent unmanned mining
mode suitable for thin and medium coal seams, the intelligent and efficient man–machine
cooperative patrol mode suitable for longwall face with a large mining height, and the intel-
ligent operation and manual intervention coal caving mode suitable for fully mechanized
caving longwall face and mechanization and intelligent combined mining mode for coal
seam with complex conditions [22,23]. Ge et al. (2021) proposed a navigation cutting theory
and technical framework suitable for automatic driving of deep coal seam shearers [17,24].
This paper aims to comprehensively review the positive impact of intelligent coal
mining on coal mine safety in China. First, we introduce the development of intelligent
coal mining briefly. Then we analyze the safety motivation of intelligent coal mining.
After that, some advanced intelligent prevention and control schemes of major disasters
matching intelligent coal mining are reviewed. Finally, we evaluate the positive impact
of intelligent coal mining on safety. This paper provides a way for safety researchers
around the world to understand the tendency of coal mine safety in China. Meanwhile,
the development experience of intelligent coal mining can also provide reference for other
developing countries in mining safety.

2. Development of Intelligent Coal Mining in China

Intelligent coal mining, which has intelligent-sensing, learning, decision-making, and
controlling features, is one of the core goals of the intelligent mine. In other major coal
mining countries, such as Australia and the USA, researchers and engineers tend to use
the term “automatic” to describe advanced coal mining methods which are based on infor-
mation and digital technologies [25,26]. The reason for popularity of the term “intelligent
coal mining” is that China puts more emphasis on advanced coal mining technology to
guarantee national energy security and improve coal mine safety at the same time. The
research and practice of intelligent coal mining in China started around 2010. Since then, a
series of key technologies have been developed, and several representative engineering
practices have been implemented. In this section, we introduce the development history of
intelligent coal mining in China briefly, including the following: (1) initial stage—memory
cutting and remote video monitoring [27]; (2) current status—geological navigation [28];
and (3) future tasks—workerless mining [29,30]. The basis of the stage division of intelli-
gent coal mining mainly includes the following two aspects: 1 the landmark industrial
test in the development of intelligent coal mining and 2 the consensus of the majority of
intelligent mining experts at present.
ility 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 17

of intelligent coal mining mainly includes the following two aspects: ① the landmark
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 3 of 17
industrial test in the development of intelligent coal mining and ② the consensus of the
majority of intelligent mining experts at present.

2.1. Initial Stage:2.1. InitialCutting

Memory Stage: Memory Cutting
and Remote Videoand Remote Video Monitoring/Controlling
Monitoring/Controlling
During
During the twelfth the twelfth
Five-Year PlanFive-Year
(12th FYP) Planperiod
(12th FYP) period (2011–2015),
(2011–2015), the China Coal the China Coal Tech-
nology & Engineering
Technology & Engineering Group Corp Group Corpand
(CCTEG) (CCTEG)
severaland several
coal coal enterprises
enterprises had collab-had collaborated
to the
orated to develop develop the first-generation
first-generation intelligentintelligent
coal miningcoal mining technology,
technology, i.e., memoryi.e., cut-memory cutting
ting and remoteand remote
video video monitoring
monitoring and controlling.
and controlling. The miningTheconditions
mining conditions
detecteddetected
by by various
sensors and commands issued by miners are transmitted
various sensors and commands issued by miners are transmitted between the longwall between the longwall face and
control center through the Industrial Ethernet Ring Net. The
face and control center through the Industrial Ethernet Ring Net. The technological frame- technological framework of
this technique is shown in Figure 1 [20]. The system consists
work of this technique is shown in Figure 1 [20]. The system consists of three parts: coal of three parts: coal mine
mine commanding commanding center, roadway
center, roadway monitoring monitoring and controlling
and controlling center,
center, and and integrated mining
integrated
machinery.
mining machinery. The coalThe minecoal mine commanding
commanding center actscenter
as an acts as an integrated
integrated visualization visualization and
and controlling platform, whose functions include inputting monitoring data, displaying displaying ma-
controlling platform, whose functions include inputting monitoring data,
machinery and chinery
mining and mining
dynamic, dynamic,
and sendingand sending
overall overall commands.
controlling controlling commands.
The road- The roadway
monitoring and controlling center is in the intake airway. The
way monitoring and controlling center is in the intake airway. The function of this center function of this center is to
is to monitor and control mining machinery, which includes the automation of shearer,shearer, powered
monitor and control mining machinery, which includes the automation of
roof supports,
powered roof supports, face conveyor,
face conveyor, etc.integrated
etc. The The integrated
miningmining machinery
machinery coordinates with each
coordinates
with each otherother to realize
to realize the whole
the whole process
process of coal
of coal mining,
mining, includingcoal
including coalcutting
cuttingand
and transportation,
dust capturing, roof supporting, and other
transportation, dust capturing, roof supporting, and other operations.operations.

Figure 1. Technical framework of visual remote intervention mining [20].

Figure 1. Technical framework of visual remote intervention mining [20].

The intelligent coal mining featured

The intelligent with memory
coal mining featured cutting and remote
with memory cuttingvideo moni- video monitor-
and remote
toring/controlling has been widely used in several mine enterprises, including Huangling,
ing/controlling has been widely used in several mine enterprises, including Huangling,
Shendong, Yangquan mines,
Shendong, etc., since
Yangquan 12th FYP.
mines, From 12th
etc., since the view
FYP. of
Fromcoalthe
mine safety,
view themine safety, the
of coal
following two key advancements
following two key have been madehave
advancements through
been the
maderesearch
throughand practice
the researchof and practice of
intelligent coal mining [20,31]:
intelligent coal mining [20,31]:
(1) This advanced(1) mining methodmining
This advanced movesmethod
miners moves
from the dangerous
miners from the longwall facelongwall
dangerous to face to the
the safe and healthy control
safe and healthycenter located
control centerinlocated
the intake
in theairway.
intake airway.
(2) The number of miners of a coal cutting shift is dramatically reduced from 30~50 to
5~7, which provides a strong guarantee for the safe mining.
However, it is important to point out that the above automatic mining method is
only suitable for the longwall panel with stable coal seam thickness, small inclination, and
fault-free and caved pillar-free.

Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400
addition, the abnormal geological conditions can be predicted based on the abovemen-
tioned data.
(2) The second step is to establish a big data analysis/decision platform to guide coal
mining. The tasks of the platform include the following three (Figure 2b): (i) amending
coal seam model-based extraction profiles, coal interface, and seam tracking measure- 4 of 17
ments obtained during the mining process; (ii) generating the cutting model based on the
seam model and mining scheduling; and (iii) implementing accurate machinery control,
fault self-diagnosis, and production decision-making based on historical production data
2.2. Current Status: Transparent Geological Navigation
and artificial intelligence.
(3)Considering the is
The third step inadequate
to collect adaptability of the abovementioned
the state parameters of coal miningfirst-generation
machinery basedintel-
ligent coal mining, the coal operators and academia are actively trying to upgrade
on the various embodied high-precision sensors, such as the inertial navigation system, memory
3Dcutting to planned
laser scanner, cutting
radar, etc. based on transparent
The control commands geological navigation
and machinery in the 13th
working and 14th
conditions
FYP periods. The technological framework of this technique is shown in Figure 2 [28], and
are transmitted between the longwall face and control center via industrial Ethernet (Fig-
the general idea of transparent geological navigation consists of three parts:
ure 2c) [34]. Then the automatic coal mining machinery works coordinately.

Sustainability 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 17

(a)

(b)

Shearer along-face direction

Coal seam floor Coal seam roof

Cutting roof

Cutting floor

+
Roof
0
gradient
−

+
Roof 0
offset
−

+
Floor
gradient 0
−

+
Floor 0
offset
−

(c)
Figure 2. 2.
Figure Intelligent coal
Intelligent mining
coal based
mining basedonontransparent
transparentgeological
geologicalnavigation.
navigation.(a)
(a)Geological
Geologicalsurvey
survey of
of longwall panel. (b) High-precision coal seam model. (c) Digital coal cutting.
longwall panel. (b) High-precision coal seam model. (c) Digital coal cutting.

Currently, lots
(1) The first of is
step coal enterprises
to construct are working coal
a high-precision together
seamwith
modelresearch
based oninstitutes to
multi-source
optimize thisdata,
geological technology.
such asThey hope revelation,
roadway to improvebore
the adaptability and reliability
logs, and seismic of intelli-
survey data [32,33].
gent coal mining.

2.3. Future Tasks: Workerless Mining

The goal of coal mining is workerless mining. Several Chinese coal mining experts
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 5 of 17

This model locates the un-mined seam boundaries in the 3D space (Figure 2a). In addition,
the abnormal geological conditions can be predicted based on the abovementioned data.
(2) The second step is to establish a big data analysis/decision platform to guide coal
mining. The tasks of the platform include the following three (Figure 2b): (i) amending
coal seam model-based extraction profiles, coal interface, and seam tracking measurements
obtained during the mining process; (ii) generating the cutting model based on the seam
model and mining scheduling; and (iii) implementing accurate machinery control, fault
self-diagnosis, and production decision-making based on historical production data and
artificial intelligence.
(3) The third step is to collect the state parameters of coal mining machinery based
on the various embodied high-precision sensors, such as the inertial navigation system,
3D laser scanner, radar, etc. The control commands and machinery working conditions
are transmitted between the longwall face and control center via industrial Ethernet
(Figure 2c) [34]. Then the automatic coal mining machinery works coordinately.
Currently, lots of coal enterprises are working together with research institutes to
optimize this technology. They hope to improve the adaptability and reliability of intelligent
coal mining.

2.3. Future Tasks: Workerless Mining

The goal of coal mining is workerless mining. Several Chinese coal mining experts
have proposed different top-level technical frameworks. Yuan (2017) proposed a new future
mining mode, precise coal mining [30]; that is, a variety of coal mining factors, such as
disaster warning and controlling, environmental protection, intelligent automation, geology,
transportation, etc., are operated precisely through on intelligence, intelligent control, the
Internet of Things, cloud computing, and big data. Wang et al. (2019) put forward a
more specific top-level technical framework consisting of an underground positioning and
navigating system, underground video and 3D virtual reality remote control platform,
operation system of integrated mechanized mining machine, and mining robot group
coordinated command platform [29].

3. The Safety Motivation of Intelligent Coal Mining

3.1. Coal Mine Accident Characteristics and Safety Tendency
3.1.1. The Characteristics of Coal Mine Accidents
In this section, the coal mine accident characteristics are analyzed based on 483 deadly
accidents during 2015–2019, as reported by the media [35].
For most of the coal mines, the working hours of morning, middle, and evening shifts
are 8:00–16:00, 16:00–24:00, and 0:00–8:00. Middle and evening shifts are the production
stage in which the main work is coal mining and roadway excavation. The general work of
the morning shift includes machinery maintenance and quality standardization. Figure 3
shows the statistics of accidents and fatalities on different periods of time. Most of the
deadly accidents and deaths happened during the rest periods, for example, from 00:00
to 4:00, from 12:00 to 14:00, and from 20:00 to 24:00. If the working shifts are changed
to be more suitable for physiological rest rules, it is reasonable to believe that the deadly
accidents would fall.
Table 1 shows the fatalities, number of accidents, and average fatalities of different
types of accidents. Gas explosion and fire, coal and gas outburst/rock-burst, roof fall, and
water inrush have caused the most fatalities. Moreover, gas explosion/fire, rock burst, coal
and gas outburst, water inrush, and poisoning and suffocation are most likely to induce
major and the abovementioned accidents. It should be noted that these accidents tend to
happen during coal cutting and roadway excavation periods. These types of accidents tend
to lead to mass casualties and property losses. If a reasonable number of coal miners are
replaced by automatic machinery, it is reasonable to believe that major accidents would fall.
Therefore, it is urgent to improve the automation and intelligentization of coal mines to
improve production efficiency and promote coal mine safety.
 and gas outburst, water inrush, and poisoning and suffocation are most likely to induce
major and the abovementioned accidents. It should be noted that these accidents tend to
happen during coal cutting and roadway excavation periods. These types of accidents
tend to lead to mass casualties and property losses. If a reasonable number of coal miners
are replaced by automatic machinery, it is reasonable to believe that major accidents
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 6 of 17
would fall. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the automation and intelligentization of coal
mines to improve production efficiency and promote coal mine safety.

350 120
318
103
300
The number of accidents 100
Death
250
80
203

Frequency
200
Death

60
150 149
42 130 124
40 117 38
35 101 37 35 40
100 33 33
29 87 84 79
26
60
16 20
50 41

0 0
0:00 – 2:00 2:00 – 4:00 4:00 – 6:00 6:00 – 8:00 8:00 – 10:00 10:00 – 12:00 12:00 – 14:00 14:00 – 16:00 16:00 – 18:00 18:00 – 20:00 20:00 – 22:00 22:00 – 24:00
Time

Figure 3.Figure
The accidents and fatalities
3. The accidents andon different
fatalities onperiods of time
different based
periods on 483
of time deadly
based on accidents
483 deadly accidents
during 2015–2019, as reported by media.
during 2015–2019, as reported by media.

Table 1. Fatalities, number number

Table 1. Fatalities, of accidents, and average
of accidents, fatalities
and average of different
fatalities types of
of different accidents
types based based on
of accidents
on 483 deadly accidents during 2015–2019, as reported by media.
483 deadly accidents during 2015–2019, as reported by media.

Number of Average
Number of Fatalities perFatalities
Average Ac-
Type of Accidents
Type of Accidents Fatalities
Fatalities
Accidents
Accidentscident per Accident
Gas explosion, fire
Gas explosion, fire 458 458 64 64 7.15 7.15
Coal and Coal and gas rock-burst
gas outburst, 204 204 34 34 6.00 6.00
Roof fall outburst, rock-burst 181 94 1.93
Roof fall 181 94 1.93
Water inrush
Water inrush 171 171 36 36 4.75 4.75
PoisoningPoisoning
and suffocation
and 139 35 3.97
139 35 3.97
Transportsuffocation
accident 105 69 1.52
Transport accident 105 69 1.52
Electromechanical accidents
Electromechanical 80 54 1.48
Blasting accident 80 17 6 54 2.83 1.48
accidents
Blasting accident
Wall caving 17 7 5 6 1.40 2.83
Wall caving 7 5 1.40
Others 130 69 1.88
Others 130 69 1.88

3.1.2. Safety Challenges Posed by Deep Coal Mining

3.1.2. Safety Challenges Posed by Deep Coal Mining
As China’s economy grows rapidly, the demand for coal increases continuously. The
average depth AsofChina’s economy
a coal mine grows
extends rapidly,
at an thespeed
average demand for coal
of 8–12 m/a,increases
and the continuously.
extension The
average depth of a coal mine extends at an average speed of 8–12 m/a, and the extension
speed in the developed east provinces reaches 10–25 m/a. Currently, there are 50 coal
mines whose mining depth goes beyond 1000 m, according to statistics.
Compared with shallow mining, deep mining has more serious risks, including harsh
working conditions, serious safety situations, and expensive production costs. Deep in the
underground, rock and coal seams are in the geological environment with high geo-stress,
geo-temperature, karst water pressure, and gas content. Moreover, coal mining will trigger
much more frequent dynamic disasters, such as coal and gas outburst, rock burst, mine
water inrush, and roadway deformation. Multiple hazard coupling is another trend of
deep coal mining that is a disaster which tends to induce a variety of secondary disasters.
What is more, spontaneous combustion and geothermal disasters are becoming more and
more serious. All of the abovementioned detrimental factors not only weaken miners’
productivity, but also pose a serious safety challenge to coal mining.
To break the vicious circle of deteriorated working conditions, lower productivity, and
the need for more miners and increased unsafety, coal mining experts hope to develop
intelligent coal mining to tackle or alleviate risks posed by deep mining.
 intelligent coal mining to tackle or alleviate risks posed by deep mining.

3.2. The Safety Conception of Intelligent Coal Mining: “Mechanization Replacement and
mation Reduction”
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 7 of 17
China’s coal mining industry has been transforming to a technology-drive
from labor-intensive model. Coal mining productivity is low, and safety is poor co
with advanced coal mining countries such as Australia, Germany, and the Unite
3.2. The Safety Conception of Intelligent Coal Mining: “Mechanization Replacement and
As early Reduction”
Automation as in 2006, the average mining productivity in America had been mor
tonsChina’s
per coalcoalminer
miningper hour,has
industry orbeen
more than 48 tons
transforming in an 8-hour day
to a technology-driven [36]. Howe
model
productivity
from at the
labor-intensive endCoal
model. of 12th
mining FYP (2015) was
productivity 840
is low, tons
and per
safety coalcompared
is poor miner per year
with
thanadvanced
1 ton per coal mining
coal countries
miner such as Australia, Germany, and the United States.
per hour.
As early as in 2006, the average mining productivity in America had been more than 6 tons
In June 2015, the former State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) (curre
per coal miner per hour, or more than 48 tons in an 8-h day [36]. However, the productivity
istry
at the endof of
Emergency Management,
12th FYP (2015) was 840 tons per MEM) launched
coal miner a three-year
per year, or less than 1special
ton per action
“Mechanization
coal miner per hour. Replacement and Automation Reduction” [37]. The goal is to
In June
manual 2015, the former
operation with State Administration
mechanized of Work Safety
production (SAWS) (current
and reduce front-lineMinistry
workers w
of Emergency Management, MEM) launched a three-year special action
matic control in high-risk industries, including coal mines, chemical factory, me named “Mech-
anization Replacement and Automation Reduction” [37]. The goal is to replace manual
metallic with
operation mines, and fireworks.
mechanized production Forand coal mining,
reduce there
front-line are four
workers withaspects,
automatic mechani
automated
control (M&A)
in high-risk excavation
industries, includingof coal
rock/coal roadway,
mines, chemical M&A
factory, of non-metallic
metal coal mining, aut
auxiliary
mines, and transportation,
fireworks. For coal and intelligent
mining, monitoring
there are four aspects,and controlling
mechanized andsystem.
auto-
mated So (M&A) excavation of rock/coal roadway, M&A of coal mining,
far, 901 modern coal mines (underground or open-pit coal mines), whichautomation auxiliary
transportation, and intelligent monitoring and controlling system.
ute 56.42% of coal production, have been developed. The mortality rate per mill
So far, 901 modern coal mines (underground or open-pit coal mines), which contribute
of thisofpart
56.42% coal of coal production
production, have beenisdeveloped.
0.0015. State and private
The mortality coal
rate per minetons
million operators
of em
the conception of “No miner, no accident” (Figure 4). Figure
this part of coal production is 0.0015. State and private coal mine operators embraced 4a,b shows the tra
the conception
longwall face.of Figure
“No miner,
4c,dnoshow
accident” (Figure airway
the intake 4). Figureand
4a,bground
shows the traditional contro
centralized
longwall face. Figure 4c,d show the intake airway and ground centralized control centers
by applying intelligent coal mining. Intelligent coal mining, which decreases mine
by applying intelligent coal mining. Intelligent coal mining, which decreases miners in the
longwall
longwall faceface by more
by more than
than 50% 50%
is the keyistothe key promoting
further to furtherthepromoting
constructionthe construction
of modern
ernmines.
coal coal mines.

Figure 4. The safety conception of “No miner, no accident”.

3.3. Government Initiatives Boosted the Intelligent Coal Mining

3.3.1. China Coal Mine Robot Development Plan
The National Coal Mine Safety Administration issued the China coal mine robot de-
velopment plan in Jan 2019 [38]. This guideline is a supplement to the special action of
“Mechanization Replacement and Automation Reduction”. Robot means an intelligent
machine featured with self-sensing, self-decision-making, self-executing, etc. Coal mine
robots are classified into five categories, roadway excavation, coal mining, transportation,
safety control, and rescue. The details are shown in Figure 5.
 3.3.1. China Coal Mine Robot Development Plan
The National Coal Mine Safety Administration issued the China coal mine robot devel-
opment plan in Jan 2019 [38]. This guideline is a supplement to the special action of “Mech-
anization Replacement and Automation Reduction”. Robot means an intelligent machine
featured with self-sensing, self-decision-making, self-executing, etc. Coal mine robots are
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 8 of 17
classified into five categories, roadway excavation, coal mining, transportation, safety
control, and rescue. The details are shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5. China coal mine

Figure 5. robot
Chinadevelopment plan development
coal mine robot (data resources: National
plan Coal Mine National
(data resources: Safety Ad-
Coal Mine Safety
ministration). Administration).

3.3.2. Energy Technology Revolution

3.3.2. Energy andRevolution
Technology Innovationand
Plan (2016–2030)
Innovation Plan (2016–2030)
In March 2016,Inthe March 2016,Development
National the National andDevelopment and Reformand
Reform Commission Commission
National and National
Energy Administration
Energy Administration jointly issued thejointly issued
“Energy the “Energy
technology technology
revolution revolution plan
and innovation and innovation plan
(2016–2030)”
(2016–2030)” [39]. [39]. This programmatic
This programmatic document15
document summarized summarized
key tasks of 15energy
key tasks
pol-of energy policy
based on
icy based on national national conditions,
conditions, and harmless andcoal
harmless
miningcoal mining
is listed is listed
first, whichfirst, which includes coal
includes
coal mine safetymine safety technology
technology and equipment,
and equipment, environmentally
environmentally friendly coal friendly
miningcoal
meth- mining methods,
and intelligent
ods, and intelligent coal mining.coal mining.
The document The Coaldocument Coal industryplan
industry development development plandetailed
in 13th FYP in 13th FYP
the detailed the above intelligent
above intelli-
gent coal mining. The document requires mine operators to reduce major and above acci-above accidents
coal mining. The document requires mine operators to reduce major and
effectively
dents effectively by implementing
by implementing intelligent
intelligent coal mining.
coal mining. Both the Both the annual
annual deathsdeaths
and and mortality
ratemillion
mortality rate per per million tons should
tons should decreasedecrease
15% per15%year.per
Coalyear. Coalmechanization
mining mining mechanization and
roadway excavation
and roadway excavation mechanization mechanization
should reachshould
85% andreach
65%,85% and 65%, and
respectively, respectively,
the and the
productivity should reach 1300 tons per
productivity should reach 1300 tons per coal miner per year. coal miner per year.

3.3.3. Trend of Abolishing Night Shift and Labor Dispatching

3.3.3. Trend of Abolishing Night Shift and Labor Dispatching
Coal mine production is scheduled as three shifts in 24 h due to capital-intensive
Coal mine production is scheduled as three shifts in 24 h due to capital-intensive
investment. This practice has facilitated the coal mining industry greatly. However, the
investment. This practice has facilitated the coal mining industry greatly. However, the
living quality of tens of millions of miners has been reduced, and lots of miners lose
living quality of tens of millions of miners has been reduced, and lots of miners lose their
their lives due to frequent accidents during the night shift. The following five reasons for
lives due to frequent accidents during the night shift. The following five reasons for abol-
abolishing the night shift are summarized through the questionnaire survey:
ishing the night shift are summarized through the questionnaire survey:
1. The night shift brings a vicious circle of reversed bio-clock and losing focus, inducing
accidents.
2. Irregular sleeping pattern, overtime, and overwork induced by night shift cause
serious damage to miners’ health.
3. Miners want to spend time with their families and enjoy life.
4. Miners are cheated out of their chance for learning.
5. It is feasible to abolish the night shift by adopting advanced coal mining practices.
In September 2020, the National Coal Mine Safety Administration, Ministry of Human
Resources and Social Security, National Energy Administration, and All-China Federation
of Trade Unions jointly issued Guidance for further normalizing coal mine labor Employment
and Promoting Coal mine Safety Production [40]. This guidance stressed that the night shift
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 9 of 17

and underground labor dispatching should be abolished within three years. Obviously, this
policy will exacerbate the problem of mining productivity and labor shortage further. To
maintain or increase coal output, coal mine operators must improve productivity through
advanced mining technology. Currently, more and more coal mine enterprises are gradually
abolishing the night shift of the non-intelligent longwall face through optimizing mining
design, improving labor organization, upgrading equipment and technology, and other
measures.

4. Intelligent Prevention and Control Scheme of Major Disasters Matching Intelligent

Coal Mining
To promote the development of intelligent coal mining, some advanced prevention
and control programs of main hazards in the longwall panel scale have been put forward,
especially for intelligent gas extraction, intelligent coal and gas outburst/rock-burst pre-
vention, and the real-time monitoring of the water diversion fissure zone. These programs
are important supplements to intelligent coal mining. Note that these programs are only
limited to longwall panel level, rather than to a coal mine.

4.1. Intelligent Gas Extraction

Gas is one of the sources which tend to induce major disasters, including gas explosion,
fire, coal and gas outburst, and poisoning and suffocation. As Table 1 showed, gas accidents
cause most of the deaths. In the longwall panel scale, the pre-pumping is mainly adopted
to extract and control coal seam gas [10]. The construction crafts of gas drainage drill hole
are varied, mainly including parallel and scalloped drill holes along the coal seam, and
down- and up-holes cross coal seam. The working air pump forms a negative pressure in
the gas drainage pipes. Then gas will escape from the high-pressure coal seam to negative
pressure pipes. This extraction process generally lasts 1–2 years before coal mining. This
technique has been applied well and has been mandated as a mandatory operation in coal
mines.
Due to the complexity of the gas drainage system, the overall operating condition
of the system is susceptible to a change in the pumping load and local operating condi-
tions. Moreover, Zhou et al. (2019) summarized the major problems of the gas drainage
system [41]:
• The control of negative pressure is not optimized dynamically according to the gas
pressure change, thus resulting in high negative pressure in the area with low gas
concentration.
• Gas drainage management relies heavily on manual patrol, and some failures, such as
borehole collapse and pipe leakage, are not easily detectable.
• An air pump cannot increase or decrease the working power adaptively according to
the load, thus resulting in a lot of electricity being wasted.
• The resistance in the local pipe network is large.
• The types and volumes of gas drainage parameters being monitored are limited. What
is more, manual testing dominates.
The abovementioned issues tend to reduce the gas drainage efficiency and limit the
utilization of gas resources, as well as some disasters, such as pipeline gas explosion and
coal and gas outburst. Therefore, Zhou (2019) proposed the concept of intelligent and
accurate gas drainage, which aims at ensuring that the system operates safely, efficiently,
and with low energy [41]. The gas drainage strategy, which includes the pipeline network
and air pump working power, is optimized dynamically based on a pipeline network
optimization algorithm; automatic valves; and the monitoring data, including negative
pressure, gas flow and concentration, and valve opening data. The framework of intelligent
and accurate gas drainage is shown in Figure 6. It consists of data-aware, communication,
data-processing and decision-making, and control modules.
 Ethernet ring network, ground cloud service platform, etc. This module establishes com-
munication between extraction subsystems and transfers the monitoring data to the data
processing module.
The data-processing and decision-making module processes the monitoring data and
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 generates an optimal gas drainage strategy. 10 of 17
Once the strategy has been received, the control module adjusts the working condi-
tions of air pumps, valves, the drainer, etc.

Gas pump
Control module Single borehole control Borehole group control Pipe-pump control
I

P Q

Data processing & decision Optimization of pipe Machine Decision

Forecast
making module network parameters learning making

Cloud computing
platform
I

I
P Q P Q P Q
Underground Underground Web mobile
I I I
Communication Module
P P P industrial Ethernet wireless network client client
Q Q Q
Drill site

valve
Data-aware module Gas flow Gas density Subpressure CO content
Tailrace opening ...

I
Intelligent valve Hand valve Q Flowmeter Feedback control line
P Baroceptor Flange Data acquisition line Drill hole

Figure
Figure 6.
6. Diagram
Diagram of
of intelligent
intelligent gas
gas drainage
drainage system.
system.

4.2. Intelligent Coal andmodule

The data-aware Gas Outburst
collectsand
gasRock-Burst Prevention by applying varied sensors
drainage parameters
or intelligent
Rock-burst,devices,
whichand
tendsthese data include
to induce gas flow,
substantial damageCHand
4 and CO volume
casualties, is a fractions,
common
negative pressure,
dynamic geologicalvalve opening,
disaster etc.mining. Currently, the mechanism of rock-burst is
in deep
The communication
still unclear; Chen (2019) module consists
introduced of an typical
the three underground wireless
rock-burst network,
prevention industrial
and control
Ethernet ring network, ground cloud service platform, etc. This module establishes
technologies [10]. A new prevention and control program was put forward based on rock- com-
munication between extraction subsystems and transfers the monitoring
burst induced hypothesis; the technical framework is shown in Figure 7. The program data to the data
processing module.
consists of four modules: monitoring, data processing, early warning, and controlling.
The data-processing and decision-making module processes the monitoring data and
generates an optimal gas drainage strategy.
Once the strategy has been received, the control module adjusts the working conditions
of air pumps, valves, the drainer, etc.

4.2. Intelligent Coal and Gas Outburst and Rock-Burst Prevention

Rock-burst, which tends to induce substantial damage and casualties, is a common
dynamic geological disaster in deep mining. Currently, the mechanism of rock-burst is
still unclear; Chen (2019) introduced the three typical rock-burst prevention and control
technologies [10]. A new prevention and control program was put forward based on
rock-burst induced hypothesis; the technical framework is shown in Figure 7. The program
consists of four modules: monitoring, data processing, early warning, and controlling.
The monitoring module is a seismic while mining observation system [42]. Microseis-
mic signals induced by working shearer and cracked rock mass are received in real time.
The data-processing module has two major functions. The first is to identify and
process microseismic signals induced by cracked rock mass. The location, original time,
and strength of a microseismic event can be accurately identified through data processing,
such as the picking up of P- and S-phase arrivals, source location, source parameter
calculation, etc. [43,44]. The second is to identify and process microseismic signals induced
by the working shearer. High-resolution velocity inversion can be conducted in real time
by applying passive seismic interferometry CT. Based on the positive correlation between
velocity and geo-stress, the distribution of geo-stress within the longwall panel is modeled.
According to the rock mechanics theory and rock-burst-induced hypothesis, rock
failure and the geo-stress concentration are reliable indicators of rock-burst tendencies. The
early warning module first identifies potential rock-burst areas, based on microseismic
location and geo-stress inversion. Then the relief-drilling plan, which includes the relief
area, drilling paths, and others, is scheduled.
The intelligent driller, when receiving the relief-drilling plan, will implement these
instructions: repeat monitoring, data processing, and early warning modules to test the
relief effect. If the detection result shows no risk of rock-burst, the system loops through the
monitoring, data-processing, early warning modules. Otherwise, the system loops through
early warning and controlling modules until the risk abates.
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 11 of 17
Sustainability 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 17

Figure
Figure 7. Intelligent
7. Intelligent prevention
prevention and
and control
control program
program of rock-burst.
of rock-burst.

4.3. Real-Time Monitoringmodule

The monitoring of WaterisDiversion
a seismicFissure
whileZonemining observation system [42]. Micro-
Due tosignals
seismic the disturbance
induced by of initial
working geo-stress
shearerfield
andinduced
crackedby coalmass
rock mining,are lots of fracture
received in real
zones
time.are induced in coal seam roof and floor. In addition, these fracture zones tend to
expand,The and faults also tendmodule
data-processing to be activated.
has two majorOnce functions.
the fracture Thezones
firstextend to concealed
is to identify and pro-
water-bearing and water-conducting
cess microseismic signals induced by structures,
cracked rocka mine
mass.water
Thedisaster
location, occurs.
originalTherefore,
time, and
a real-time
strength monitoring methodevent
of a microseismic for thecan water diversion identified
be accurately fissure zone in the longwall
through panel
data processing,
was proposed based on microseismic and resistivity monitoring, as Figure
such as the picking up of P- and S-phase arrivals, source location, source parameter cal- 8 shows [45].
The diagram
culation, of resistivity
etc. [43,44]. The second monitoring
is to identifyis shown on themicroseismic
and process left side of Figure
signals8.induced
The
electrodes placed in the coal seam roof or floor emit or receive electrical
by the working shearer. High-resolution velocity inversion can be conducted in real time pulses repeatedly,
andbymonitoring substations
applying passive seismicrecord the resistivities
interferometry CT. Basedbetween
on the two electrodes.
positive correlation Then the
between
distribution
velocity and of resistivities
geo-stress, in thedistribution
the coal seam roof and floor spaces
of geo-stress withincanthebelongwall
determined panelthrough
is mod-
computerized
eled. tomography. The low-resistivity areas indicate water-diversion fissure zones
becauseAccording
of the low to resistivity
the rockofmechanics
coal mine water.theoryThe anddiagram of microseismic
rock-burst-induced monitoring
hypothesis, rock
is shown on the right side of Figure 8. The geophones placed in coal/rock
failure and the geo-stress concentration are reliable indicators of rock-burst tendencies. seams or on the
ground receive the seismic waves induced by creaked rock mass in real time. The inversion
The early warning module first identifies potential rock-burst areas, based on microseis-
of the original time, space coordinate, and energy of a microseismic event can be conducted
mic location and geo-stress inversion. Then the relief-drilling plan, which includes the
through data processing, which includes P- and S-phase arrival picking, source location,
relief area, drilling paths, and others, is scheduled.
source parameters calculation, etc.
The intelligent driller, when receiving the relief-drilling plan, will implement these
The risk of water inrush from the coal seam floor or roof during the mining process can
instructions: repeat monitoring, data processing, and early warning modules to test the
be analyzed accurately by combining the mine hydrogeological condition and monitoring.
relief effect. If the detection result shows no risk of rock-burst, the system loops through
Once there is a water-inrush risk, the intelligent mining operation should be stopped
the monitoring, data-processing, early warning modules. Otherwise, the system loops
immediately. Meanwhile, it is necessary to implement water drainage or shutoff to ensure
through early warning and controlling modules until the risk abates.
the safety of intelligent coal mining.
4.3. Real-Time Monitoring of Water Diversion Fissure Zone
 Due to the disturbance of initial geo-stress field induced by coal mining, lots of frac-
ture zones are induced in coal seam roof and floor. In addition, these fracture zones tend
to expand, and faults also tend to be activated. Once the fracture zones extend to concealed
water-bearing and water-conducting structures, a mine water disaster occurs. Therefore,
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 12 of 17
a real-time monitoring method for the water diversion fissure zone in the longwall panel
was proposed based on microseismic and resistivity monitoring, as Figure 8 shows [45].

Figure8.8.Topological
Figure Topologicaldiagram
diagramofofmicroseismic
microseismicand
andresistivity
resistivitymonitoring
monitoringsystem
systemininlongwall
longwallpanel.
panel.

5. Evaluation of theofPositive
The diagram resistivityImpact of Intelligent
monitoring is shown Coal
on Mining on Safety
the left side of Figure 8. The elec-
5.1. Staffplaced
trodes Organization
in the Optimization
coal seam roof of Coal Cutting
or floor Crew
emit or receive electrical pulses repeatedly,
andFormonitoring substations
the coal cutting shift, record
the labor theintensity
resistivities
is thebetween
highest,two
and electrodes.
the workingThen the dis-
conditions
tribution
are the worst.of resistivities
Therefore,inthe thestaff
coal reduction
seam roof of andthe
floor
coalspaces canshift
cutting be determined through
for the intelligent
computerized
longwall face is atomography.
point of focus. The low-resistivity
Table areasorganizations
2 shows the staff indicate water-diversion
of coal cuttingfissure
shift
ofzones because ofand
the traditional theNo.
low1001resistivity of coal
intelligent mine water.
longwall faces The diagram of
of Huangling microseismic
Coal Mine [46]. mon-
The
No. 1001islongwall
itoring shown on face
theis right
the first
sideintelligent
of Figurelongwall face in China,
8. The geophones placedwhich ran successfully
in coal/rock seams or
inonMay
the2014.
ground receive the seismic waves induced by creaked rock mass in real time. The
inversion of the original time, space coordinate, and energy of a microseismic event can
Table 2. Staff organizations
be conducted through data of coalprocessing,
cutting crewwhich
of the traditional
includes P- andand
No.S-phase
1001 intelligent
arrivallongwall
picking,
faces of the
source Huangling
location, Coalparameters
source Mine. calculation, etc.
The risk of water inrush from the coal seam floor or roof during the mining process
Traditional Longwall Face Intelligent Longwall Face
can be analyzed accurately by combining the mine hydrogeological condition and moni-
Post
toring. Once there is No. of Workers risk, the
a water-inrush Postintelligent miningNo. of Workers
operation should be
stopped immediately. Meanwhile,
Shearer operator 3 it is necessary to implement
Longwall face water drainage or shutoff
inspector 1
Roof
to support
ensure the safety of intelligent 5 coal mining.
operator
5. Evaluation
Transporter, of the Positive Impact of Intelligent
crusher Coal
Controller Mining on Safety
in ground
1
operator
5.1. Staff Organization Optimization of Coal Cutting Crew
or underground 2
Electrician, pump centralized control
For the coal cutting shift, 1 labor intensity
the is the highest, and the working condi-
operator center
tions are the worst. Therefore, the
Belt conveyer
1
staff reduction of the coal cutting shift for the intelligent
operator face is a point of focus. Table 2 shows the staff organizations of coal cutting shift
longwall
of the traditional
Forepoling operatorand No. 1001 intelligent
8 longwall facesoperator
Forepoling of Huangling Coal Mine
4 [46]. The
Total 19 7

Compared with traditional longwall face, the total number of workers in a coal cutting
shift of intelligent longwall face has been reduced from 19 to 7, dropping by more than
66%. In addition, two of the seven miners of intelligent longwall face work in the ground
 Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 13 of 17

or underground centralized control center. The job duties of longwall face inspectors,
controllers, and forepoling operators are as follows:
• The longwall face inspector patrols the integrated mining machinery through a remote-
control platform which is in the intake airway. Once there are abnormal situations, the
inspector issues emergency shutdowns.
• Controllers in the ground or underground centralized control center remotely control
shearer and roof supports through video surveillance and other monitoring data.
• Two forepoling operators are arranged in each roadway. The workers also assist in
adjusting automatic roof support movement, safety, and material recycling.
Compared with the traditional longwall face, the number of miners in the intelligent
longwall face is greatly reduced, the working environment is greatly improved, and the
labor intensity is greatly reduced.

5.2. Analysis of Coal Mine Safety Level Improvement

With the sustained and rapid development in intelligent coal mining technology, the
coal output continues to increase, but the number of coal industry workers continues to
decline, which has greatly improved the level of coal mine safety. Figure 9 shows the
trends of the number of employees in large coal mines, the mortality rates per 106 tons of
coal output, and the number of deaths from 2016 to 2021. The large mines are those with
, x FOR PEER REVIEW a capacity of more than 1.2 million tons. These statistics come from the Annual Report
14 of 17
on Coal Industry Development (2016~2021) which were released by China National Coal
Association [47–52].

(a) 260 (b) The number of deaths

0.16 Mortality rates per 106 tons of coal output 3.0 3.0
The number of employees in coal industry The number of employees in coal industry
240
0.14
The number of employees in

The number of employees in

2.8 220 2.8
coal industry/million

The number of deaths

coal industry/million
per 106 tons of coal

0.12 200
Mortality rates

2.6 2.6
180
0.10
2.4 160
2.4
0.08
140
2.2
0.06 120 2.2

100
0.04 2.0
2.0
80
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Year
Year

Figure 9. The trends of the numbers

Figure of of
9. The trends employees
the numbersinofcoal industry
employees in large
in coal coal
industry mines,
in large coalthe mortality
mines, the mortality
6
rates per 10 tons of coal
6 ratesoutput
per 10 (a),
tons and the
of coal number
output of deaths
(a), and (b)of
the number from 2016
deaths and 2021.
(b) from 2016 and 2021.

In 2021, the mortality rates per 106 tons of coal output was 0.044, and the number of
Figure 10 shows thewas
deaths trends
178, aof theofnumber
drop 72.2% andof intelligent
66.9%, longwall
respectively, comparedfaces rated
to 2016. by the the
Meanwhile,
National Mine Safety Administration,
number of employees in the mortality
large coal minesrates
fell per
from10
3.01tons
6 of coal
million output,
in 2016 and in
to 2.01 million
the number of deaths from
2021, with2017
a droptoof2021.
33%. The correlation
The correlation coefficients
coefficients of theofnumber
the number of in-
of workers in large
mines with the number of deaths and the mortality rates per 10 6 tons of coal output are
telligent longwall faces with the number of deaths and the mortality rates per 10 tons of 6
0.95 and 0.93, respectively, showing a high positive correlation.
coal output are −0.98 and −0.98, respectively, showing a high negative correlation. The
Figure 10 shows the trends of the number of intelligent longwall faces rated by the
popularization of intelligent
National Minecoal mining
Safety greatly reduces
Administration, the probability
the mortality of casualties
rates per 106 tons in and
of coal output,
the process of coal mining.
the number of deaths from 2017 to 2021. The correlation coefficients of the number of
intelligent longwall faces with the number of deaths and the mortality rates per 106 tons of
coal output are −0.98 and −0.98, respectively, showing a high negative correlation. The
popularization of intelligent 900 coal mining greatly reduces the probability of casualties 900 in the
0.16
(a) 260 (b) The number of deaths
process
The mortality rates per 10of
6
tonscoal mining.800
of coal output
The number of intelligent longwall faces 800
The number of intelligent longwall faces 240
0.14 700 700
220
intelligent longwall faces

intelligent longwall faces

106 tons of coal output
The mortality rates per

The number of deaths

600 600
0.12 200
The number of

The number of

500 500
180
0.10
400 400
160

0.08 300 300

140
200 120 200
0.06
 the number of deaths from 2017 to 2021. The correlation coefficients of the number of in-
telligent longwall faces with the number of deaths and the mortality rates per 106 tons of
coal output are −0.98 and −0.98, respectively, showing a high negative correlation. The
popularization of intelligent coal mining greatly reduces the probability of casualties in
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 14 of 17
the process of coal mining.

900 900
0.16
(a) 260 (b) The number of deaths
The mortality rates per 106 tons of coal output 800 800
The number of intelligent longwall faces
The number of intelligent longwall faces 240
0.14 700 700
220

intelligent longwall faces

intelligent longwall faces

106 tons of coal output
The mortality rates per

The number of deaths

600 600
0.12 200

The number of

The number of
500 500
180
0.10
400 400
160

0.08 300 300

140
200 120 200
0.06
100 100 100
0.04 0 80 0

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Year Year

Figure 10. The trends of the numbers of intelligent longwall faces, the mortality rates per 106 tons of
Figure 10. The trends of the numbers of intelligent longwall faces, the mortality rates per 106 tons of
coal output (a), and the number of deaths (b) from 2017 and 2021.
coal output (a), and the number of deaths (b) from 2017 and 2021.
The first intelligent longwall face was successfully put into operation in May 2014.
The first intelligent longwall
Therefore, face
the above was successfully
statistics basically reflectput into operation
the positive in May 2014.
impact of intelligent coal mining
Therefore, the above statistics basically reflect the positive impact of intelligent coal min- coal
on coal mine safety. The above statistics show that the popularization of intelligent
mining technology greatly reduced the probability of casualties in the process of coal
ing on coal mine safety. The above statistics show that the popularization of intelligent
mining in the recent years.
coal mining technology In greatly reduced
the future, Chinathewillprobability
continue to pushof casualties
forward theinsupply-side
the process of coal
reform and close
mining in the recentoryears.
restructure the small- and medium-sized coal mines with low profit and safety levels.
Meanwhile,
In the future, China we vigorously
will continue promote
to push the popularization
forward of intelligent
the supply-side reformmining
andtechnology
close in
large- and medium-sized mines and aim at reducing the number of coal mine employees,
or restructure the small- and medium-sized coal mines with low profit and safety levels.
especially the number of dangerous positions. It can be expected that the safety level of coal
Meanwhile, we vigorously promote
mines in China the popularization
will continue to improve with ofthe
intelligent
developmentmining technology
of intelligent coal mining
in large- and medium-sized
technology. mines and aim at reducing the number of coal mine employ-
ees, especially the number of dangerous positions. It can be expected that the safety level
6. Conclusions
of coal mines in China will continue to improve with the development of intelligent coal
(1) Despite years of technological innovation, coal mining remains one of the most
mining technology. dangerous and laborious professions in China. In addition, the coal mine working con-
dition tends to get worse due to deep coal mining. Encouragingly, the latest science and
6. Conclusions technology, especially artificial intelligence, 5G, and robotics, have brought about a revolu-
tion in the coal mining industry. Intelligent mining is expected to relieve or solve coal mine
(1) Despite years of technological innovation, coal mining remains one of the most
safety and health issues and ensure energy security through the combination of traditional
dangerous and laborious professions
coal mining in China.
and broader Inintelligence.
artificial addition, the coal of
A series mine working
policy documentscondi-
related to
tion tends to get worse due coal
intelligent to deep
miningcoal
havemining.
been issuedEncouragingly,
by governments, the latest
and this science
drives and
the development
technology, especially artificial
of intelligent coalintelligence, 5G, and robotics, have brought about a
mining powerfully.
(2) The first-generation intelligent coal mining technology characterized by memory
cutting and remote video monitoring/controlling was developed during the period of the
12th Five-Year Plan. By implementing the technology, not only was the number of miners
of a coal cutting shift dramatically reduced from 20~30 to 5~7, but also most of workers
were transmitted to the safe and healthy control center from the dangerous longwall face,
thus improving the safety level of the coal mine. In addition, the employees in large coal
mines, the mortality rates per 106 tons of coal output, and the number of deaths decreased
by 33%, 72.2%, and 66.9% during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016–2021), a rapid development
period of intelligent mining technology.
(3) The safety conception of intelligent coal mining is “Mechanization Replacement
and Automation Reduction”; that is, reduce the number of coal mine employees (especially
the number of dangerous positions) by using the intelligent coal mining technology. In
addition, the advanced prevention and control programs of main hazards in the longwall
panel scale are also an important means to improve the safety level of the coal mine.
(4) Workless mining is the end-all solution to ensure the intrinsic safety of coal mines.
While the current progresses of intelligent coal mining have been achieved mainly in shearer
Sustainability 2022, 14, 16400 15 of 17

automation, longwall face alignment, video monitoring, in the future, key techniques
should be developed, and related management skills should be researched and practiced.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, H.L. and X.W.; methodology, X.W.; data collection, X.W.,
B.W., and M.Z.; writing—original draft preparation, X.W.; writing—review and editing, H.L., B.W.,
and M.Z.; supervision, H.L.; funding acquisition, H.L. All authors have read and agreed to the
published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant
U1904210, 52204175), the National Social Science Foundation of China (grant 20XGL025), the Key
R&D Project of Science and Technology Department of Shaanxi Province (grant 2021SF-479), and the
Science and Technology Innovation Venture Capital Special Project of Tiandi Science & Technology
Co., Ltd (grant 2019-TD-ZD003, 2020-TD-ZD002).
Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design
of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or
in the decision to publish the results.

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