In the arid landscapes of China’s Ordos Basin, where coal mining has long been both an economic backbone and an environmental challenge, a team of researchers led by Song Du of the General Prospecting Institute of China National Administration of Coal Geology is pioneering a solution that could redefine how the energy sector handles one of its most persistent byproducts: excess mine water.
Traditionally, coal mine water—often laden with salts and contaminants—has been treated as a liability, requiring costly disposal or remediation. But Du and his colleagues are turning this “liquid waste” into an opportunity by leveraging deep underground geology. Their approach, *Geological Deep Well Injection and Storage (GDWIS)*, involves injecting treated mine water into deep porous rock layers, effectively isolating it from the biosphere while potentially unlocking new avenues for energy and environmental synergy.
“The paradigm shift in mine water management isn’t just about disposal—it’s about transforming a problem into a resource,” Du explains. “By storing treated water deep underground, we’re not only solving a critical environmental issue but also creating a foundation for future innovations like CO₂ storage or geothermal energy extraction.”
The Ordos Basin, a key coal-producing region, faces severe water scarcity and ecological strain from mining activities. Current methods of treating high-salt mine water with reverse osmosis membranes produce clean water but leave behind concentrated brine—a disposal headache. GDWIS offers a way to handle this brine safely, using the basin’s deep geological formations as a natural storage vault.
In a recent engineering-scale application at the M coal mine, the team demonstrated the feasibility of GDWIS, integrating basic research, technical development, and real-world testing. The system’s success hinges on precise control—monitoring pressure, fluid behavior, and long-term stability to ensure no leakage or contamination risks.
Looking ahead, the research points to even bolder possibilities. “Imagine injecting mine water while simultaneously storing CO₂ or extracting geothermal heat,” Du muses. “This could align with China’s *dual carbon* goals, turning mining operations into net contributors to sustainability.”
Published in *Meitan xuebao* (Journal of the China Coal Society), this work underscores how deep geological storage could reshape the energy sector’s approach to waste and resource management. For industries grappling with water scarcity and environmental regulations, GDWIS presents a compelling model—one that turns a costly problem into a strategic advantage.