Influence of soil cover on reducing the environmental impact of spontaneous coal combustion in coal waste gobs: A review and new experimental data

►Spontaneous combustion of coal and coal waste gobs is an important source of atmospheric pollutants. ►Condensation pollutants occur in vents and subsequently leaching of organic and inorganic pollutants takes place. ►Soil cover on coal mine waste gobs is demonstrated to drastically reduce both air and water pollutions. ►A literature review and new experimental data are presented for both organic and inorganic pollutants.