Background Coal mining subsidence areas, formed by the exploitation of coal resources, have emerged as severe challenges to the construction of ecological civilization and the sustainable development of the social economy in China. Their management, restoration, development, and utilization play a significant role in ecological security, food security, and energy transformation.

Methods This study aims to address the unresolved and emerging issues in the management of coal mining subsidence areas. Based on the core concepts of management, restoration, development, and utilization, this study developed a dual-level zoning basis system combining theories and reality. Accordingly, coal mining subsidence areas in China were classified into six types of functional areas: cultivated land restoration areas in plains, ecological conservation areas in alpine forest lands and grasslands, wetland construction areas in areas with high phreatic surfaces, renewable energy development areas in deserts, urban construction and utilization areas, and underground space development and utilization areas. For these areas, this study systematically summarized the advances in key technologies, practical achievements, and existing challenges.

Advances  For cultivated land restoration areas in plains, the filling material optimization, scientific soil reconstruction technology, and proactive restoration strategy have been integrated to restore the productivity of destroyed cultivated land. For ecological conservation areas in alpine forest lands and grasslands, the selection and configuration of hardy plants, the construction of matching soil matrix, reasonable artificial vegetation rehabilitation, and differential water resource management have been combined to address the challenge in ecological reconstruction in extreme environments. For wetland construction areas in areas with high phreatic surfaces, novel wetland agriculture, artificial regulation of water resources, and photovoltaic development have been jointly adopted to reconstruct hydrological systems and transform ecological value. For renewable energy development areas in deserts, renewable energy development and construction, ecological effect assessment, and renewable energy consumption have been explored to support the construction of energy bases in deserts, Gobi, and wastelands. For urban construction and utilization areas, a whole-process technology chain consisting of fine-scale exploration, targeted management, deformation-resistant structures, grouting quality detection, multi-approach collaborative monitoring, monitoring and early warning of residual deformations, and collapse risk control has been utilized to ensure the safe construction of aboveground and ground engineering. For underground space development and utilization areas, multi-dimensional development and utilization paths for abandoned mines have been explored based on the function transformation potential and development suitability of abandoned mines.

Prospects  From the perspectives of intelligence level, digital transformation, and the economic development of carbon sinks, this study envisions the management, restoration, development, and utilization trends of coal mining subsidence areas. Moreover, this study proposes subsequent research directions, including the resource utilization of Yellow River sediments and corresponding intelligent mining and restoration coordination, the precise configuration of communities facilitating ecological restoration and frozen soil protection in alpine mining areas, and the economic value assessment of wetland carbon sinks in subsidence areas with high phreatic surfaces. The results of this study will serve as a reference for the sustainable development of mining cities in China.