Research Status and Prospects of Coal Mine Underground Reservoirs in China
Abstract
Given the acute tension between water scarcity and coal-mining activities in western China, this paper systematically reviews recent advances in the deep geological storage of mine water and the development of coal mine underground reservoirs, with the aim of promoting a shift in mine-water management from conventional end-of-pipe treatment to coordinated diversion, storage, and utilization. Drawing on a literature review, theoretical synthesis, and engineering case analyses, the study examines the development of key technical systems for coal mine underground reservoirs, including site selection, accurate storage-capacity calculation, dam-stability control, and seepage-prevention mechanisms. The review shows that storage-space characterization based on overburden-movement trajectories and dam damage evolution models under multi-field coupling have substantially strengthened the scientific basis and reliability of engineering design for coal mine underground reservoirs. In addition, deep geological storage technology offers distinct advantages and considerable potential for the the safe isolation and disposal of highly saline mine water and the control of environmental risks. The findings indicate that establishing standardized and intelligent coal mine underground-reservoir systems is a key pathway toward water-resource recycling and ecological restoration in the coal-mining regions of western China. Future research should focus on long-term dam-safety monitoring under complex multi-field coupling conditions and on coordinating coal mine underground reservoirs with pumped storage and other emerging energy-development modes.
Article Type: Review Article
Cited as:
Du T, Yao HY, Pei GH, et al. 2026. Research Status and Prospects of Coal Mine Underground Reservoirs in China. GeoStorage, 2(3), 196-215.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46690/gs.2026.03.01Keywords:
Coal mine underground reservoir, deep geological storage, storage-capacity calculation, dam stability, water-quality safetyReferences
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