Physicochemical characteristics and environmental impact of coal mine solid waste

Coal mine solid waste is an industrial solid waste generated during coal mining, washing, and utilization. Despite a recent increase in its utilization rate in China, it still possesses substantial storage, which not only encroaches on land resources, but also causes serious environmental pollution. This paper reviews existing studies on the environmental impact of coal mine solid waste that were published in CNKI, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases between 2014 and 2024. Results reveal that the environmental impact of coal mine solid waste mainly includes: ① the emitted gases such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and SO2 and the fine particulate matter generated during the storage process of coal mine solid waste could pollute the atmosphere; ② the heavy metals in coal mine solid waste would pollute the surrounding groundwater during the leaching process; ③ the heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Hg in coal mine solid waste could migrate and be released to the surrounding soil through weathering and leaching, causing serious heavy metal pollution in soil. Given the current research progress in the comprehensive utilization and treatment of coal mine solid waste, this study proposes future research foci by drawing on the current regulations in mining safety, environmental protection and monitoring.