Research progress on mining-induced ecological damage characteristics and ecological restoration in the four major coalfields of Xinjiang

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.