Abstract:

To reveal the current research status, hotspot evolution, and development trends of support technologies in mining engineering in China, a bibliometric analysis was conducted. Relevant literature from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database (1994-2025) was collected. With the help of CiteSpace software, visual analysis was performed in terms of annual publication outputs, research institutions, author collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence and clustering, and burst term detection to construct a knowledge map of support technologies in mining engineering in China. The results indicate that research has undergone three stages: the initial stage (before 2002), the rapid development stage (2003-2015), and the sustained fluctuation stage (2016-2025). This evolution has been driven by demands for deep mining, safety policy promotion, and intelligent technology development. The research landscape is dominated by institutions such as China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), China University of Mining and Technology, the Coal Science Research Institute, and Liaoning Technical University. These institutions form a multi-centered distribution pattern, while inter-institutional collaboration remains relatively low. A core author group has formed. The collaboration network shows multiple coexisting research groups with dispersed relationships. “Numerical simulation,” “rock bolt support,” and “soft rock roadway” have remained long-term core research topics. Research has progressively shifted from conventional single support methods toward composite and systematic approaches. “Roof cutting and pressure relief,” “surrounding rock control,” and “rockburst” have become recent research frontiers. Support technologies are advancing toward proactive regulation and coordinated control under deep mining conditions.

Key words: CiteSpace, mining engineering, support technology, visualization, knowledge graph