Abstract: Sustainable mining refers to extract coal economically,efficiently and with a high recovery rate while ensu- ring safety and within the allowable range of environmental capacity. This paper again clarifies the connotation and technological system of sustainable mining from the relationship between human and nature of coal acquiring,consu- ming and returning. Additionally,the paper reviewed the developments of the coal industry under the guidance of sus- tainable mining in China,analyzed some problems of sustainable mining in the new situation,illustrated the necessity of developing sustainable mining and put forward the conditions of comprehensively realizing sustainable mining. The top priority should be accomplishing the top-level design of sustainable coal mining by setting new standards for the entrance of new coal mines into the coal industry and the elimination of outdated coal mines out of the coal industry, implementing the sustainable capacity step-by-step,strengthening industry coordination as well as improving policies and regulations. At the same time,we should also enhance the study of economic law of coal resources,increasing the investment in science and technology and tackling key problems in technology,reforming the personnel training mode. Proposed directional suggestions for sustainable mining and healthy development of coal industry.