Environmental hazards and comprehensive utilization of solid waste coal gangue

Abstract

Coal mining and washing is accompanied by the production of large amounts of coal gangue, which exerts a notable influence on the natural environment. However, as a form of solid waste, coal gangue exhibits a wide range of potential applications in the field of recycling. Nowadays, ’the utilization rate and quality of coal gangue are inadequate, and the disposal capacity and scale of coal gangue obviously cannot meet the current global low-carbon environmental protection requirements. The paper presents an overview of the present state of coal gangue production and utilization, and investigates the environmental impact caused by the practice of stacking coal gangue. We emphasize the current research status of gangue in various high-value application fields, including environmental materials, agricultural production, construction materials, recovery and extraction of valuable elements, and energy generation. It highlights the significance of pre-treatment methods like activation, modification, and innocuousness for the comprehensive utilization of gangue. Additionally, we briefly introduce and discusses the future directions of research and development in this area. Nevertheless, with regard to the environmental impact of secondary contamination and the efficiency of gangue utilization, there remain numerous obstacles and unresolved matters that merit further investigation. It is believed that this review can offer valuable insights into the utilization of gangue development methods, and expedite the successful implementation and practical application of large-scale treatment and disposal of solid waste.