Objective  Coal production and utilization lead to substantial carbon emissions, and the carbon emissions from underground coal mines have attracted increasing attention. However, research on emission reduction pathways in coal mines remains nascent.

Methods The Y Coal Mine was investigated in this study. Using methods including life cycle assessment (LCA), emission factor approach, and monitoring, this study identified the boundaries for carbon emission accounting and determined the sources, total amount, and characteristics of carbon emissions from the coal mine. Furthermore, a framework of carbon emission reduction through CCUS was established based on the principle of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technique and the technical means used in the critical links of the technique, as well as the specific carbon emission characteristics and geological conditions.

Results and Conclusions The accounting boundaries cover the entire process from underground mining to coal washing and processing and then to coal transportation. Sources of carbon emissions can be categorized into direct and indirect types. Direct carbon emissions primarily comprise methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) escaping from coal mining and post-mining operations, as well as greenhouse gases generated from fossil fuel combustion. Indirect emissions principally involve purchased electricity and consumed water resources. The carbon emission accounting results indicate that the annual carbon emissions from the Y Coal Mine totaled 7.43×10⁵ t carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) in 2024. Among these, gas escape led to the highest carbon emissions of 6.74×10⁵ t CO₂e, accounting for approximately 90.8% of the total. In contrast, fuel combustion produced the lowest emissions, totaling 728.56 t CO₂e and representing a proportion of 0.2%. Indirect emissions accounted for approximately 9% of the total, primarily originating from the use of electricity (6.65×10⁴ t CO₂e) and water resources (1.24×10³ t CO₂e). The Y Coal Mine shows a carbon emissions structure dominated by gas escape. Therefore, carbon emission reduction should focus on gas drainage and utilization, along with the control of gas escape. The results of this study provide a quantitative method for developing a carbon emission accounting system for underground coal mines. This method, combined with the proposed pathways for emission reduction through CCUS, offers theoretical support and a practical reference for the green, low-carbon transition of the coal mining industry.