Abstract: Coal mining inevitably disturbs land ecosystems, urgently necessitating the development of ecological restoration theories and technologies tailored to Xinjiang’s unique habitats. This paper systematically examines the natural geography and geo-mining conditions of Xinjiang’s four major coalfields, analyzes regional mining-induced ecological damage characteristics, reviews ecological restoration research progress in Xinjiang mining areas （2000-2024）, and proposes priority research directions for these coalfields. Key findings include: ①significant spatial heterogeneity exists in mining modes and ecological impacts. Open-pit mining in the Zhundong-Turpan-Hami desert-gobi coalfields disrupt gravel-layer structures, impairing windbreak and sand fixation capacities; underground mining in the Yili oasis coalfields induces surface subsidence and ground fissures, exacerbating cropland and grassland degradation; and fracture networks in the Kuche-Baicheng mountainous coalfields disturb shallow ecological water tables, accelerating rocky desertification. ②Despite its late inception, ecological restoration research in Xinjiang has progressed rapidly, emphasizing micro-topography-vegetation synergy, soil reconstruction, and microbial remediation, with growing attention to gravel-layer damage mechanisms and nature-inspired restoration technologies in desert-gobi mining areas. ③Research on ecological restoration in Xinjiang’s mining areas is undergoing an initial transition from “end-of-pipe treatment” to “process regulation” and from “single-element restoration” to “systemic reconstruction”. ④Critical challenges persist, including insufficient theoretical frameworks for regional mining damage, ambiguous zonal restoration objectives, and non-standardized, short-lived restoration technologies, its difficulty in meeting the sustained release demand for high-quality coal production capacity in the region. This study provides a comprehensive baseline for ecological planning, technology innovation, and standardization in Xinjiang’s coal mining areas.