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Can Abandoned Coal Mines Be Used to Grow Crops?
Environment & ClimateStandardAbout 3 min
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Have you ever wondered what happens to a coal mine after it stops producing coal? China has over 12,000 abandoned coal mines, many with huge underground spaces and existing infrastructure. Researchers have asked an interesting question: could these underground spaces be used for agricultural experiments?
Researchers from Taiyuan University of Technology and the Shanxi Coal-Based Resources Green and Efficient Development Engineering Center published a paper in the journal China Mining Magazine. Instead of planting crops right away, they first assessed some mines to see whether they could provide a sufficiently stable environment. The assessment looked at whether the surrounding rock was stable enough for engineering, whether ventilation and drainage systems were complete, and whether safety monitoring was in place.
Underground there is no sunlight or rainfall, so crops cannot grow directly. But the study points out that the underground environment can be precisely controlled, free from weather swings, climate change and natural disasters. In suitable mines, artificial lighting and environmental control systems could independently supply and finely adjust light, heat, water, air and carbon. Geothermal energy could also serve as a sustainable heat source, with far lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional energy.
The researchers say that as global climate change worsens and demand grows for agriculture in extreme or enclosed environments, exploring underground coal mine agriculture has scientific and engineering value. However, this only means an engineering foundation exists—it does not mean crops have already been successfully grown in abandoned mines.
The material does not say how many mines were assessed, where they are, or the detailed assessment criteria. It also provides no results from actual planting trials. So whether underground farming is truly feasible still needs further experimental testing.
To understand this idea, first distinguish an underground space from a surface farm. A surface farm depends on sunlight, rain and natural soil, so a change in weather can affect the harvest. An underground space is like a sealed room: no natural light, but artificial lights can be installed and systems can control temperature, humidity and gases. Another key concept is rock stability: the rock around a mine must be solid enough not to collapse—the first step for any underground project.
"Having an engineering foundation" does not mean crops have already been successfully grown in abandoned coal mines; the material provides no actual planting results.
China has more than 12,000 abandoned coal mines—more than the total number of coal mines in many countries.
This article was researched and written from the following materials:
Primary research: 《中国矿业》期刊
News report: Solidot11 September 2026Read the original
AI editorial note: this article was rewritten by AI from the materials above and fact-checked. It is not a reproduction of the source article.
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