Characteristics, control strategies, and practices of mining-induced seismicity in Inner Mongolian Mining Areas

China’s coal resource development has rapidly shifted toward the western mining areas with superior resources, during which large-scale and high-intensity mining has induced frequent seismicity of magnitude 2.0 and above. In 2024, Inner Mongolia’s raw coal production ranked first nationwide, but mining-induced seismicity (MIS) were particularly severe. To effectively curb the surge of MIS in Inner Mongolian Mining Areas, the geological and sedimentary characteristics of mines affected by MIS were analyzed. Twenty-six cases of mining-induced seismic events of magnitude 2.0 and above since 2020 were reviewed to summarize their occurrence characteristics and development trends. Based on surface displacement monitoring and overlying rock separation observations, the study preliminarily revealed the specific influence of complex sedimentary strata fracturing on frequent MIS. The causes of MIS were clarified, and control strategies including active pressure relief, reduction of subsidence load, and optimization of production layout were proposed. Industrial-scale experiments were conducted in mines severely affected by MIS to validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategies. The results indicate that the Cretaceous strata in the mining areas affected by MIS in Inner Mongolia experienced fluvial and weathering deposition and underwent extensive carbonate cementation, forming significant unconformities with the underlying Jurassic strata. Their overall occurrence patterns and mechanical properties exhibit abrupt spatial variations, resulting in the unique regularity and mechanisms of MIS in Inner Mongolian coal mines. MIS predominantly occur during adjacent goaf mining, with sources located in goaf areas and negligible impact on underground workings and the surface. Even when previously affected working faces resume production at reduced speed or are temporarily suspended, MIS may recur, highlighting the complexity of MIS induced by overlying rock fractures. The strata that control MIS are not fixed but dynamically change. After MIS occurrence, the surface subsides rapidly in a step-like manner, and fractures within the causative strata and overlying rocks propagate quickly. Destabilization of any strata within the extended fracture zone may trigger further MIS, which is the main reason why MIS in Inner Mongolian coal mines is difficult to control effectively. Following the implementation of control engineering, accumulated energy in the Cretaceous strata was steadily released, surface subsidence was effectively mitigated, and the frequency of MIS was significantly reduced. Optimizing the mining layout reduces adverse effects from high-intensity mining and controls MIS at its source, thereby facilitating coordinated active regulation of MIS and rock bursts, which is essential for the stable release of mine production capacity. These findings advance a rational understanding of MIS in Inner Mongolian mining areas and can offer valuable approaches for the effective control of MIS.