## 1 Introduction  
Coal is the most abundant and widely distributed fossil energy source on the planet. Safe coal mining is at the core of the sustainable development of coal energy. Large amounts of dust are generated during coal mining and transportation; however, in many cases, on-site dust concentration significantly exceeds allowable values [1; 2]. The concentration of dust in fully mechanized coal mining faces can generally reach 2000 mg/m\({}^{3}\). Additionally, respirable dust accounts for approximately 20% of the total dust generated in coal mines. Therefore, the priority for the implementation of safety measures in coal mining and the sustainable development of the modern coal industry is to strengthen the prevention and control of dust in mines, improve the underground environment, and ensure the occupational safety and health of workers [3]. In recent years, scholars have continuously expanded their research on the prevention and control of mine dust in different directions. [PERSON] et al. [4] studied dust pollution during surface coal mining and analyzed the characteristics of long-term dust pollution in surface coal mines. Factors influencing dust concentration in different seasons were calculated using the Gray correlation. Dust pollution in and around the mine site was simulated using a hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory model. Their simulation results are conducive to designing an optimal mining plan. Figure 1 demonstrates a new type of semi-enclosed air curtain dust control device designed by [PERSON] et al. [5]. Through different experiments, they proved that it can effectively improve the working environment of shearer operators. The device forms a partially enclosed dust control air chamber in the operating area of shearer operators after activation while not affecting the safety of the tunnel ventilation system, with an effective dust control rate of 61.8%. New systems for the suppression of foam dust have been widely investigated and applied in recent years due to the advantages of having a large dust-catching area, strong adhesion capacity, and fast wetting speed. Figure 2 illustrates a new foam dust suppression  
Figure 1: Working principle of the dust removal fan proposed by [PERSON] et al. [5]. system designed by [PERSON] et al. [6], which has a self-priming device to optimize the foam generator, the distribution bracket, and the nozzle so that it can automatically inhale air and the foaming agent through high-pressure water flow. A more refined foam-spraying structure was developed to achieve more concentrated and uniform foam dust suppression at the dust source. Due to the removal of external equipment and the simplification of the excavation system, the efficiency of dust suppression and foam utilization was improved. Mine dust control has stirred extensive research interest in recent years. On the one hand, this is owing to the irreplaceable position of coal as a fossil energy source and the serious risks of occupational diseases and production safety accidents caused by coal mining. On the other hand, solid waste from coal combustion can also have multiple applications in industry, and the prevention and control of dust can be applied to diverse fields. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to consolidate the latest results and related research on dust control in mines and its solid waste utilization in one document. [PERSON] et al. [7] summarized the most recent research advances on pneumoconiosis among coal workers in terms of its pathogenesis, typical lesions, and animal models. They revealed several limitations in the current research on pneumoconiosis, one of which is the inability to dynamically and systematically observe the development of lesions. They outlined some of the strategies that have been developed for mine dust control from the aspects of ventilation dust removal, spray dust reduction, chemical dust suppression, foam dust suppression, and dust suppression in wet spraying.