For the key scientific problems in the efficient and clean utilization and green and safety exploitation for coal resources, the state key laboratory of coal resources and safe mining sets four key research areas as follows:
 
1.The prospecting assessment and characteristic investigation for coal resources
This direction is set for stating the distribution and reserve law of China’s coal resources as well as establishing the theory system of coal resources predicting, so as to provide theoretical and technical support for China’s strategic distribution of coal prospecting and exploitation and the comprehensive assessment and efficient utilization of coal resources.
 
2.The geological theory and technology of safety coal mining
As China faces many difficulties in its coal mining, such as the complex geological condition, various potential disaster sources, harsh environment under coal mine, this research area is set for studying the geological structure of coal mine and the theory and technology of the high resolution earth physical detection for disaster source, so as to create the detection and pre-warning system and technical equipment for coal mine structure and disaster source.
 
3.The theory and technology in the environment-coordinated green exploitation
As for the characteristics of China’s coal distribution and reserve, and the ecological threat caused by high-intensity exploitation, this direction is set for studying the fundamental theory and technology of the exploitation for thick coal seam in deep area and the recovery for the ecological environment of mining area. Breakthrough has been made in the fundamental theory and technology of the efficient green exploitation of thick coal seam, the increase of recycling rate, and the monitoring, protection and recovery of the weak environment in west mining area, which provides both theoretical and technical support for China’s scientifically efficient and environment friendly green exploitation system for the thick coal seam in deep area.
 
4. The key theory and technology in the prevention and control for the severe disaster in coal mining
Under the condition that China’s coal reserves concentrate in deep areas, this direction is set for researching the technology of the disaster cause, monitoring, pre-warning and prevention & control of rock burst, coal/gas outburst, water inrush, mine fire and other severe disasters induced by deep mining, so as to create the key theory and technology of the prevention and control for the severe disaster in coal mining.