Enhancing the clean and efficient utilization of coal is a fundamental step in China’s energy transition, ensuring both high-quality development and energy security.
Source: China Electric Power News
Enhancing the clean and efficient utilization of coal is a fundamental step in China’s energy transition, ensuring both high-quality development and energy security. Jiang Yaodong, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former vice president of China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), emphasized that clean and efficient coal utilization requires the integration of advanced technologies and management strategies across the entire coal value chain—spanning mining, production, storage, transportation, and consumption. The goal is to reduce pollution and carbon emissions while improving energy efficiency. This approach not only reinforces coal’s role as a stable energy source but also supports China’s green, low-carbon transition and the development of new productive forces.
Despite significant progress in clean coal utilization, Jiang pointed out that several challenges remain. One of the most pressing issues is coal gangue, a solid waste byproduct of coal mining and processing. The accumulation of coal gangue takes up vast amounts of land and poses serious environmental and ecological risks.
However, coal gangue also has potential value and can be repurposed for use in building materials, chemicals, fertilizers, and power generation. While these applications help mitigate the problem, the current scale and capacity of coal gangue treatment and utilization still fall short of meeting China’s evolving environmental standards and clean energy goals.
Jiang proposed that the key to effective coal gangue management lies in reducing the amount extracted and brought to the surface at the source—an issue that largely depends on mining technology. He suggested that through improved standardization, technological innovation, and policy coordination, coal gangue could be transformed from an “environmental burden” into a valuable resource. This transformation would not only optimize land use in mining areas but also support China’s "dual carbon" goals by advancing the green transition of the energy sector. To achieve this, Jiang outlined three key areas of focus:
1. Establishing Standards and Risk Assessment Systems
He recommended accelerating the release of a national standard for land reclamation using coal gangue backfill. This should include detailed technical guidelines for different scenarios, such as filling subsidence areas, abandoned mines, and eroded land, ensuring safe and effective reclamation practices.
2. Advancing Technological Innovation and Demonstration Projects
Jiang stressed the importance of research on soil reconstruction and land restoration technologies, particularly in regions with loess gullies and desert mining areas. By investing in R&D and pilot projects, China can enhance its technological capacity, overcome existing barriers, and develop large-scale, high-efficiency coal gangue treatment models.
3. Strengthening Cross-Sectoral Coordination and Regulatory Oversight
He called for the establishment of a cross-departmental regulatory body dedicated to the comprehensive management and circular utilization of coal gangue and other solid waste. Additionally, he proposed creating a fully digitalized monitoring platform to enable real-time supervision and dynamic management of coal gangue treatment projects, ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance.
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