Using the FLAC3D numerical simulation method, the characteristics of mining stress evolution, fault activation patterns, and fault energy evolution characteristics are simulated and analyzed in the process of the footwall and hanging wall working face heading to a normal fault. The study shows that the fault cut off the mining stress propagation of overlying strata, and the stress blocking effect due to the fault is evident. When working faces head towards a fault, the abutment pressure and the vertical stress of the surrounding rock increase first and subsequently decrease. The abutment pressure of the coal wall and fault is highest when the distances to the fault are 40 m and 30 m for the footwall and hanging wall working faces, respectively. Moreover, the hanging wall mining stress is higher than the footwall mining stress. Fault activation in high-located strata precedes that in low-located strata when working faces head towards the normal fault. Energy is gradually accumulated before unstable fault events take place because of mining, and fault instability quickly releases a lot of energy. The mining stress concentration and fault activation due to faults easily result in rock bursts and mine seismicity, Wu Quan-sen, Jiang Li-shuai and Wu Quan-lin., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy