The Yellow River Basin faces high-intensity coal resource development and severe water scarcity. This makes the treatment and use of mine water a critical factor constraining both coal industry development and ecological security for the region. This study uses kernel density estimation and the Standard Deviational Ellipse model to identify the spatial pattern of mine water production. It also combines bibliometric analysis and field investigations to assess research progress and current practice for mine water treatment and use in the basin. Results show that mine water production displays strong spatial clustering, with the center of gravity shifting northward. Research is moving from an engineering-focused stage to a theory-oriented one, emphasizing systematic optimization and sustainable use. Current practices still struggle with non-standardized data, uneven treatment quality, and incomplete management systems. This research underscores the importance of improving the region’s integrated management of mine water and proposes shifting mine water from an environmental burden to a resource asset.

The massive generation of coal-based solid wastes (CBSWs) poses severe environmental challenges globally, while widespread soil degradation threatens food security and ecosystem stability. This review critically evaluates the technical feasibility and agro-ecological benefits of valorizing CBSWs—including coal gangue, fly ash, gasification slag, and desulfurization gypsum—as soil amendments within a circular economy framework. We systematically examine the physicochemical characteristics of major CBSW types, analyze modification methods that enhance their performance and safety, and assess their multifaceted effects on soil physical structure, chemical properties, nutrient dynamics, heavy metal immobilization, and microbial communities. A dedicated section addresses environmental risks, particularly toxic element leaching, and outlines integrated control strategies from source selection to post-application monitoring. Critical knowledge gaps persist regarding long-term contaminant stability under climate change scenarios, molecular-scale immobilization mechanisms, and economic scalability. Future research must prioritize advanced low-energy modification technologies, robust long-term field studies, and harmonized international regulations. We conclude that with scientifically guided modification and stringent risk management, CBSWs can be transformed into safe, multifunctional soil conditioners, simultaneously addressing industrial waste management and contributing to global restoration of degraded soil health.