Equilibrium strategy-based optimization method for the coal-water conflict: A perspective from China.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Water Resource Management
• Operations Research

Background:

• Large-scale coal mining exacerbates environmental water problems, creating significant coal-water conflicts.
• Balancing economic development with environmental protection is crucial in mining regions.
• Groundwater quality and quantity are critical factors affected by coal mining.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a bi-level optimization model for managing environmental water issues in coal mining.
• To establish an environmental protection-based mining quotas competition mechanism.
• To reduce the conflict between coal extraction and water resource preservation.

Main Methods:

• A bi-level optimization model with fuzzy coefficients based on Stackelberg-Nash equilibrium strategy.
• Defuzzification using a possibility measure to handle uncertainties.
• Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions for solution searching.

Main Results:

• The proposed model successfully established an environmental protection-based mining quotas competition mechanism.
• Collieries are motivated to engage in environmentally friendly exploitation to secure larger mining quotas.
• The model demonstrated practicality and efficiency in mitigating coal-water conflicts.

Conclusions:

• The developed model provides an effective framework for managing water resources in coal mining areas.
• Incentivizing environmentally conscious mining practices is key to resolving coal-water conflicts.
• The study offers a foundation for management recommendations to improve environmental protection in mining regions.