Bcakground Underground tunnel drilling in coal mines represents an indispensable key means for the safe and efficient coal mining, precise disaster prevention and control, and geological transparency of coal mines. This study presents a systematic review of the development history of underground tunnel drilling technology and equipment for coal mines in China over the past 50 years, during which the technology and equipment have evolved from technology introduction to independent innovation and from following to keeping pace with and even to overtaking international counterparts.

Advances Initially, this study expatiates on both the important position of coal resources in the national energy mix and challenges in safe coal mining posed by complex geological conditions, clarifying the vital role of tunnel drilling in gas drainage, water hazard prevention and control, and geological exploration. Accordingly, this study introduces a range of breakthroughs and representative achievements made in tunnel drilling rigs, measurement while drilling (MWD) systems, special drilling tools, and drilling processes from four technical dimensions: rotary drilling, directional drilling, intelligent drilling, and special drilling. Furthermore, this study presents a summary of technological evolution pathways of China’s tunnel drilling technology, which has developed from uncontrolled drilling to precise directional drilling, from geometric steering to geosteering, and from manual operations to intelligent operations. Finally, it analyzes the construction progress in the test platforms of tunnel drilling rigs and their support for technological innovation.

Prospect  In the future, underground tunnel drilling technology for coal mines will accelerate its development toward intelligence, high precision, and unmanned operations. Specifically, particular emphasis should be placed on key technologies for real-time perception of complex underground geological information in coal mines, high-capacity low-latency data transmission, and multi-objective intelligent collaborative control. It is necessary to research and develop special drilling processes and equipment applicable to underground high-stress conditions, broken-soft coal seams, extremely hard rock formations, and highly confined aquifers. It is advisable to improve the technical standards and product quality evaluation systems of underground tunnel drilling in coal mines, aiming to promote the transformation of the equipment manufacturing toward high-end, green, and service-oriented development. Furthermore, whole-process intelligent operation and maintenance systems that cover equipment status, process parameters, and geological information should be established by highly integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as digital twinning, artificial intelligence, and 5G communication. These efforts will provide robust technical support for China’s smart mine construction and national energy security strategy.