Coal gangue-based geopolymer (CGGP) is one of the hot spots existing in the recycling of coal gangue resources due to its good comprehensive mechanical properties. However, the coal gangue structure is stable and reactivity is poor, so the coal gangue needs to be activated before utilization. In this paper, the microstructure changes of activated coal gangue by different mechanical and thermal activation methods, as well as the mechanical properties and microstructure changes of the CGGP specimens were studied by experimental investigation. The results indicated that mechanical activation and thermal activation were two effective methods to change the reactivity of coal gangue, which consisted of destroying the stable kaolinite structure and improving the activity of coal gangue. Conversely, part of the amorphous structure in coal gangue was destroyed when the activation temperature reached 900 °C, which was not conducive to the further enhancement of coal gangue activity. For the CGGP prepared by thermally activated coal gangue and modified sodium silicate alkali solution, the uniaxial compressive strength of the CGGP specimens decreased with thermal activation temperatures of the raw coal gangue materials at 700 °C, 800 °C, and 900 °C. The main reason for this was the lower amount of the active metakaolin structure in coal gangue at 900 °C, which was not conducive to the geopolymerization process.

This study seeks to address the problems of major geo-environmental hazards caused by high-intensive coal mining in China’s western eco-environment frangible area including strong mining pressure, surface subsidence, soil and water loss, and land desertification. Using the high-intensive mining at the Xiao-jihan Coal Mine, this paper investigates the compaction characteristics of aeolian sand-based backfilling materials, and then the evolution of water-conducting fractures and surface deformation laws with different backfill material’s compression ratios (BMCRs) by using physical simulation and numerical simulation analysis methods. This study presents the technical system of water-preserved and environmental protection with rapid-backfilling methods in China’s western eco-environment frangible area. The backfill coal mining technique and application prospects are assessed and discussed. The results will be helpful for coordinated development of coal resources exploitation and environmental protection in China’s western eco-environment frangible area.

Based on techniques of close upper protective coal-rock layer mining, relieved gas extraction, and underground gangue washing-discharging-backfilling, this paper initiates the concept of mixed fully-mechanized coal mining, which combines a solid backfilling method and a caving method (hereinafter referred to as “backfill and caving mixed mining”). After the principle and key techniques are introduced, a physical simulation experiment and a numerical simulation are used to study the characteristics of the overlying strata’s fracture development, the main roof subsidence, the stress field and its influence area in the transition area with the length ratios of the backfilling section and the caving section, and the advancing distance of the mixed longwall face. Thus, the lengths of the caving section and the backfilling section, the parameters of the support system in the transition section, and the design process of the mixed longwall face are presented. In practice, the mixed longwall face Ji₁₅-31010 in Ping-dingshan No. 12 Colliery proves that the designed lengths of 120 m and 100 m for the backfilling section and the caving section, respectively, are appropriate. The monitoring results of the hydraulic support working resistance show that the supports were working well in general; the maximum growth height of the overlying strata fracture is 18 m; the gas drainage efficiency is up to 80% and the average gas concentration is 0.1 g/m³; a large quantity of gangue generated in the Ji₁₄ seam is disposed underground; coal and gas are extracted simultaneously; and significant environmental and economic benefits are realized.