Micro-seismic phenomena, occurring when rock masses are subjected to forces and failures, allow the determination of their unstable states and failure zones by analyzing micro-seismic signals. We first present the principles of micro-seismic monitoring and location, as well as an underground explosion-proof micro-seismic monitoring system. Given a practical engineering application, we describe the application of micro-seismic monitoring technology in determining the height of a “two-zone” overburden, i.e., a caving zone and a fracture zone, the width of a coal-pillar section and the depth of failure of a floor. The workfaces monitored accomplished safe and highly efficient mining based on our micro-seismic monitoring results and provide direct proof of the reliability and validity of micro-seismic monitoring technology. Micro-seismic phenomena, occurring when rock masses are subjected to forces and failures, allow the determination of their unstable states and failure zones by analyzing micro-seismic signals. We first present the principles of micro-seismic monitoring and location, as well as an underground explosion-proof micro-seismic monitoring system. Given a practical engineering application, we describe the application of micro-seismic monitoring technology in determining the height of a “two-zone” overburden, ie, a caving zone and a fracture zone , the width of a coal-pillar section and the depth of failure of a floor. The workfaces monitored accomplished safe and highly efficient mining based on our micro-seismic monitoring results and provide direct proof of the reliability and validity of micro-seismic monitoring technology .