Carbon neutral and peak carbon dioxide emissions are the globe tasks for energy and environment development. Now, there are several countries that remain heavily dependent on coal even under the background of energy diversity. This situation is predicted to last for several decades due to the demand for energy. The traditional theory, techniques, and methods for exploitation and utilization of coal runs counter to the goals of carbon neutral and peak carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, it is critical to reform the current methodology. The fluidized mining of underground coal resources is considered as an effective approach to solve the dilemma mentioned above. It refers to coal or other mining resources which are ground into fine powder or CWS (Coal Water Slurry) mechanically or fluidized chemically underground. The concept of fluidized mining was proposed in 2014 and has gradually been recognized by engineering and academic circles as it mandates “no people work in the stope and no minerals need to be transported on the ground”. The coal will be in-situ fluidized for deflagration power generation. The suggested method will replace the heavily traditional resource excavation, transportation, and utilization modes with a new mining model. The development of fluidized mining technology will help achieve clean, efficient, and eco-friendly exploitation of coal.

However, there are many challenges for fluidized mining. Firstly, the mechanical behavior of the coal and surrounding rock under the fluidized process is not clear. Secondly, the stress and energy accumulation process for such new mining methods need to be investigated. Another consideration is that the transport technology of fluidized coal remains to be development. The TBM-like mining facility also needs to be used for fluidized mining, thus, the intelligence excavation and support technology for fluidized mining need to be explored. Finally, the fluidized mining will result in much more goaf than the traditional mining method, and the related backfill method is essential for the ground control.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for scholars and engineers to share their recent achievements in fluidized mining. The frontier technologies or scientific findings for fluidized mining will also be collected. Such exciting advances will promote the extension of geo-fluids by creating a brand new field. Original and review articles are welcomed.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Fluidized mining induced rock/coal behavior
• Physical fluidized/fragmentation of coal
• In-situ intelligent mining-preparation backfilling of fluidized mining
• In-situ boring technology
• Intelligence, excavation, and support technology for fluidized mining
• Visualization of the underground structure
• The transportation of in-situ fluidized mining for underground coal resources
• In-situ multiphysics coupling process
• Intelligent development and layout of mines for fluidized mining
• Mechanism of fluidized mining induced ground movement