The International Journal of Coal Science & Technology focuses on key topics of energy and mineral sustainable extraction, processing, utilization, and recycling, serving as a forum for scientists and engineers to present novel research findings and discuss challenging issues. Coverage includes original research articles, new developments, case studies and critical reviews in all aspects of scientific and engineering research on energy and mineral resources. The scope is broad, and the topics include: Geology, geochemistry, geophysics, mineralogy, and petrology – coal and shale basin and their formation and evolution; petrology of coal and shale; hydrocarbons; stable isotopes; sorption and diffusion kinetics; nano-anisotropy; mineralogy, geochemistry, formation, transport, and storage of gases in coal and shales; unconventional energy systems (e.g., oil shales, shale gas, and other carbon-based fuels); ore deposits of materials and rare metals in coal and coal-bearing strata. Upstream energy and mineral extractions – smart mining; green mining; mining automation; data science in mining; ground control; hydraulic fracturing; CBM exploration and management; rock burst; support technology; tunneling; induced-seismicity; mining disaster prevention; top coal caving; systematic mining technology for super-thick or thin seams; advanced mining practices. Downstream energy and mineral processing, utilization, and conversion – clean energy; beneficiation; geothermal; in-situ conversion; liquefaction; pyrolysis; graded utilization; coal-based materials; chemical looping; coal-to-liquids; gasification; bio-treatment; hydrate; low carbon technology; greenhouse gas; carbon capture (utilization) and storage (CC(U)S); integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC); integrated gasification fuel cells (IGFC); coal water slurry; combustion sciences; syngas production and cleaning; coking; fly ash; rare earth minerals; renewable electricity; by- and end-products of coal utilization; waste heat recovery; clean coal technology. Environment and hazard control – carbon emission; carbon neutral; waste management and waste minimization practices; coal mine site closure, decommissioning and reclamation; abandoned mines; subsidence monitoring; slope slide; fluids injection; adverse effects of toxic elements during coal utilization and mining; tailing dam management; post-combustion pollution control; waste disposal; mine dust control and health effect; gob gas control; and mine water management systems. Energy and natural resource policy – energy security, efficiency, economy; mineral sustainability; energy storage, transmission, and strategy; carbon trading; waste-to-energy; life cycle inventory; pollutants emission; climate change; ground water management. .