Characteristics of coal resources in China and statistical analysis and preventive measures for coal mine accidents

Abstract

In the process of green and smart mine construction under the context of carbon neutrality, China's coal safety situation has been continuously improved in recent years. In order to recognize the development of coal production in China and prepare for future monitoring and prevention of safety incidents, this study mainly elaborated on the basic situation of coal resources and national mining accidents over the past five years (2017–2021), from four dimensions (accident level, type, region, and time), and then proposed the preventive measures based on accident statistical laws. The results show that the storage of coal resources has obvious geographic characteristics, mainly concentrated in the Midwest, with coal resources in Shanxi and Shaanxi accounting for about 49.4%. The proportion of coal consumption has dropped from 70.2% to 56% between 2011 and 2021, but still accounts for more than half of the all. Meanwhile, the accident-prone areas are positively correlated with the amount of coal production. Among different levels of coal mine accidents, general accidents had the highest number of accidents and deaths, with 692 accidents and 783 deaths, accounting for 87.6% and 54.64% respectively. The frequency of roof, gas, and transportation accidents is relatively high, and the number of single fatalities caused by gas accidents is the largest, about 4.18. In terms of geographical distribution of accidents, the safety situation in Shanxi Province is the most severe. From the time distribution of coal mine accidents, the accidents mainly occurred in July and August, and rarely occurred in February and December. Finally, the "4 + 4" safety management model is proposed, combining the statistical results with coal production in China. Based on the existing health and safety management systems, the managements are divided into four sub-categories, and more specific measures are suggested.

Spatial and Temporal Characterization of Mine Water Inrush Accidents in China, 2014–2022

“…The degree of mechanization and intelligence of coal is relatively low [23], and the corre-sponding prevention and control policies and management regulations are not perfect [3], resulting in frequent water damage accidents in coal mines and causing many casualties and economic losses. In Stage II, with the policy adjustment of China's coal industry, the integration and development of coal resources on a large scale, accelerating the closure and withdrawal of coal mines outside large coal bases, as well as the enhancement of coal mining technology, equipment, and the management level of coal mining enterprises [24], China has entered into a period of stable and low incidence of water damage accidents in coal mines. Since Stage III, the number of deaths in coal mine water damage accidents has fluctuated greatly; for example, in 2021, although only four water damage accidents occurred, the number of deaths was as high as 48 people.…”

“…With reference to the requirements of the "13th Five-Year Plan for Coal Industry Development" formulated by the Chinese government, the overall layout of China's coal development is divided into the east development region (including Hebei, Shandong, Beijing, Tianjin, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, and Taiwan), central development region (including Shanxi, Henan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, and Hunan), northeast development region (including Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning), and west development region (Neimenggu, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Tibet, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Guangxi) [24], as shown in Figure 4.…”

Dynamic Response of Gas Recovery Enhancement Efficiency in Coalbed Methane Displacement by Hot Flue Gas: From the Perspective of Thermo–Hydro–Mechanical–Chemical Coupling

“…CBM, one of the major strategic mineral resources in China, has a total reserve of around 70 trillion m 3 , of which about 80% is deep resources. 1−3 Deep coal seam occurrence is characterized by high stress, low permeability, microporosity, and strong adsorption.…”

“…8−10 Subsequently, the gas released into the mining space will be discharged into the atmosphere along with the mine airflow, which can result in the greenhouse effect (the greenhouse effect of gas is about 22−28 times that of carbon dioxide). Moreover, more than 20 billion m 3 gas is discharged into the atmosphere every year, causing a great waste of gas resources. 11−13 Accordingly, enhancing the efficiency of CBM development is of great significance for safe production, energy conservation, emission reduction, and resource utilization.…”

“…CBM, one of the major strategic mineral resources in China, has a total reserve of around 70 trillion m 3 , of which about 80% is deep resources. − Deep coal seam occurrence is characterized by high stress, low permeability, microporosity, and strong adsorption. The majority of the gas cannot be drained out of coal seams owing to their low permeability, difficulty in gas desorption and flow, and low drainage rates of gas.…”