This study aims to establish a criterion of acoustic emission (AE) and charge signal for different failure forms of coal at various loading rates. Physical experiments were conducted on coal from a work-face of Wulong mine

and the AE and charge signals were monitored during the failure process of coal at different loading rates. Then we thoroughly investigated the relationships among AE-charge signals and mechanical properties

cracking

energy release at various loading rates. The results showed that with higher rates and earlier stress adjustment

uniaxial compressive strength improved

the release of accumulated deformation energy aggravated

failure modes changed from static load-induced instability to similarity-dynamic-load induced instability

more dynamic characteristics were present

and the risk of compressible rock burst of coal increased. At different loading rates

the AE-charge signal variations were consistent with stress mutation

which were further analysed quantitatively. Hence

based on the obtained AE-charge signals

we proposed a criterion for different coal failure modes. In different mines and work-faces

we could forecast or make an early warning to the risk of compressible rock-burst induced by mining

according to the monitored AE-charge signals in combination with variations of the mining pressure field.