Aiming at the current status and difficulties of coal mining, a new concept of sustainable capacity of coal mining was proposed in order to promote the sustainable development of China's coal industry and change its negative image of "high-risk, pollution, extensive mode and irregular industry" . On the basis of China's coal resources characteristics, the scale of coal production, layout and development potential were systematically analyzed. Moreover, the total amount of sustainable capacity of coal production in 2030 and 2050 in China were predicted. A strategic plan and initiatives of how to fulfill the target of sustainable capacity of coal mining were also suggested.