Abstract:
The development and utilization of mine geothermal resources provide an important pathway for the coordinated advancement of deep-mine heat-hazard control, mine-water recovery, reuse of abandoned underground spaces, and low-carbon energy supply in mining areas. Existing studies have proposed various technical routes, including mine-water heat pumps, heat extraction from deep surrounding rocks, closed-loop heat exchange in shafts and roadways, goaf heat storage, and mining-geothermal co-extraction. However, several problems remain, such as the confusion between theoretical resource potential and deliverable engineering heat, insufficient differentiation of technology maturity, unclear boundaries between numerical simulation and engineering evidence, and scattered evaluation indicators that are difficult to support engineering decision-making. Using a structured narrative review and an evidence-grading approach, this review systematically summarizes the resource types, technology systems, engineering evaluation methods, and technology readiness of mine geothermal utilization. An analytical framework of “resource occurrence-technology adaptation-engineering evaluation” is established. The results indicate that mine-water heat pump systems and abandoned-mine district energy systems have relatively high engineering maturity and solid application foundations. Heat extraction and cooling-collaboration technologies in active deep mines can support both heat-hazard mitigation and geothermal utilization, but still lack sufficient long-term field monitoring and stable operation evidence. Closed-loop heat exchange in shafts or boreholes, goaf heat storage, and backfill-based heat extraction show considerable potential, yet their engineering application is constrained by thermal resistance, thermal attenuation, construction accessibility, operation and maintenance conditions, and safety boundaries. Engineering evaluation of mine geothermal resources should therefore shift from static resource estimation to a comprehensive assessment centered on physical accessibility, regulatory accessibility, economic accessibility, sustainable heat extraction, whole-system efficiency, safety, and life-cycle benefits. Future research should focus on standardized monitoring, engineering case databases, technology readiness classification, thermal breakthrough assessment, reinjection capacity assurance, and mine-water chemistry control, techno-economic boundary identification, and integrated multi-energy demonstrations in mining areas. The findings can provide references for technology selection, engineering decision-making, and future research planning in mine geothermal utilization.