The particular “rich coal, meager oil, and deficient gas” energy structure of China determines its high degree of dependence on coal resources. After over 100 years of high-intensity mining activities in Northeast China, East Region, and the Southern Region, coal mining in these areas is facing a series of serious problems, which force China’s energy exploitation map to be rewritten. New energy bases will move to the western and northern regions in the next few years. However, overlapping phenomena of multiple resources are frequently encountered. Previous exploitation mainly focused on coal mining, which destroys many mutualistic and accompanying resources, such as uranium, gas, and oil. Aiming at solving this unscientific development mode, this research presents a case study in the Ordos Basin, where uranium, coal, and gas/oil show a three-dimensional overlapping phenomenon along the vertical downward direction. The upper uranium and lower coal situation in this basin is remarkable; specifically, coal mining disturbs the overlaying aquifer, thus requiring the uranium to be leached first. The technical approach must be sufficiently reliable to avoid the leakage of radioactive elements in subsequent coal mining procedures. Hence, the unbalanced injection and extraction of uranium mining is used to completely eradicate the discharged emissions to the environment. The gas and oil are typically not extracted because of their deep occurrence strata and their overlapping phenomenon with coal seams. Use of the integrated coal and gas production method is recommended, and relevant fracturing methods to increase the gas migrating degree in the strata are also introduced. The results and recommendations in this study are applicable in some other areas with similarities.

This study investigates the stability problem of gob-side entry retaining (GER) and backfilling wall which located under the key block B. Based on the combined research of elastic–plastic mechanics, structure mechanics and modern theory of mining-induced pressure, the caving characteristic and roof structure over the GER were analyzed, and the vertical force and the torque on retained entry roof were also derived as the position for the retained entry varies. On the basis of the specific geology in Huainan mining area, the results indicate that a relatively more stable position for retained entry neighbors the hinge point of block A and B, and it also located at a scope ranging from this point to the one-third length of block B in horizontal direction. As to appropriate position for backfilling wall, this study recommends partial-road-in backfilling method for GER. Field trial conducted at panel face 12418 of Xieqiao Mine demonstrates that the recommended width for original entry is 3.6 m and the preferred width proportion between original retained entry and original entry is 75 % or so whereas the avoidable one is 88 % or so. These findings provide qualitative references to the mines which share similar geology as what Huainan mining area characterized.

Steel and polypropylene hybrid fiber-reinforced concretes have been widely considered for structural applications due to its superior mechanical performance compared to plain and mono fiber-reinforced concretes. Fire is one of the most serious potential risks to concrete structures. The fire resistance of the steel and polypropylene hybrid fiber-reinforced concretes cannot be ignored when assessing the safety of concrete structures. This paper reviews the available studies on the mechanical performance of thermally damaged steel and polypropylene hybrid fiber-reinforced concretes. The deterioration mechanism and the influence of the test factors were discussed. The temperature-dependent mechanical properties of the hybrid fiber-reinforced concretes were analyzed, including compressive elastic modulus, compressive strength, flexural strength, and fracture toughness. In addition, the effect of the post-fire re-curing on the mechanical performance of the thermally damaged steel and polypropylene hybrid fiber-reinforced concretes was also reviewed.