This study focused on the Jinjie mining area by addressing the severe resource and environmental issues arising from excessive coal mining in Shenmu County, Northwest China. Multi-source remote sensing data from GF-1 and Landsat 8 OLI were utilized in this study. Specifically, the fused remote sensing ecological index (FRSEI) was constructed to conduct a detailed evaluation and analysis of the eco-environmental quality in the mining area from 2013 to 2023. The results indicated that the overall eco-environmental quality of the Jinjie mining area exhibited a trend of initial improvement, followed by degradation, and then improvement again over the decade. The eco-environmental quality of the mine pits and their surrounding areas was significantly lower than the overall level, confirming the destructive impact of coal mining on the eco-environment. Meanwhile, as the study area, Shenmu County is actively utilizing coal mining subsidence areas to develop the photovoltaic power generation industry, aiming to achieve green and low-carbon transformation. Although the construction of photovoltaic power plants initially led to the degradation of the condition of vegetation and the FRSEI, both gradually improved after the plants were operational. Furthermore, by comparing the FRSEI with the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) calculated solely using Landsat 8 OLI data, we found a high degree of similarity between the two, thereby validating the stability and accuracy of the FRSEI. This study not only provides high-precision data support for eco-environmental monitoring in mining areas but also highlights the potential of multi-source remote sensing data fusion technology in improving monitoring accuracy, further providing a scientific basis for formulating sustainable development strategies specifically for the eco-environment in mining areas.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) generated during the exploitation and utilization of mineral resources poses a severe environmental problem globally within the mining industry. The Xiaomixi Stream in Ziyang County, Shaanxi Province, is a primary tributary of the Han River, which is surrounded by historically concentrated mining areas for stone coal and vanadium ores. Rainwater erosion of abandoned mine tunnels and waste rock piles has led to the leaching of acidic substances and heavy metals, which then enter the Haoping River and its tributaries through surface runoff. This results in acidic water, posing a significant threat to the water quality of the South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route within the Han River basin. According to this study’s investigation, Xiaomixi’s acidic water exhibits yellow and white precipitates upstream and downstream of the river, respectively. These precipitates stem from the oxidation of iron-bearing minerals and aluminum-bearing minerals. The precipitation process is controlled by factors such as the pH and temperature, exhibiting seasonal variations. Taking the Xiaomixi Stream in Ziyang County, Shaanxi Province, as the study area, this paper conducts field investigations, systematic sampling of water bodies and river sediments, testing for iron and aluminum pollutants in water, and micro-area observations using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) on sediments, along with analyzing the iron and aluminum content. The deposition is analyzed using handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and visible–near-infrared spectroscopy data, and a geochemical model is established using PHREEQC software. This paper summarizes the migration and transformation mechanisms of iron and aluminum pollutants in acidic water and proposes appropriate prevention and control measures.