Abstract: Transparency of hidden geological factors is critical to intelligent and precise coal mining and therefore the prevention and control of major accidents in coal mine. The significant electrical property change can be resulted from several factors, such as the structure of coal and rock mass, the fluid occurrence, etc., providing a basis of physical property for mine electrical prospecting. For more than 30 years, mine electrical prospecting has played a key role to water prevention and control of coal mine in China. Definitely, many symbolized results on theory, technique and application of mine electrical prospecting have been produced through several stages of development, such as roof and floor detection in coal face, advanced detection in driving face, small structure detection in coal face and dynamic monitoring of mine electrical prospecting. Meanwhile, studies on theories, methods and techniques reaches the international leading level. In this study, the main hydrogeological problems faced by coal mining in China since 1980s are summarized. On this basis, systematic conclusion is made for the development course of the mine electrical prospecting in different stages of prominent safety problems in the production of coal mine, as well as the significant contribution made by the related domestic units. Focusing on the research and application status of mine electrical prospecting, its development trend is also analyzed in view of multi-source information fusion, transparent working face and intelligent mine. Thus, it is considered that dynamic monitoring will become the future developing direction of mine electrical prospecting in the process of intelligent and precise coal mining, deep earth exploration and the development and utilization of underground space. Thus, mine electrical prospecting will have an expanded application field and wide development prospects.