The deep coal mining areas in the Meng-Shaan region are characterized by multiple aquifers in the coal seam roof. Controlling mining-induced overburden failure to prevent water hazards and protect water resources is a critical issue for regional coal development. The hydrological properties of overlying strata are key factors influencing mining-induced damage, yet these properties vary significantly among different strata in the deep Meng-Shaan area. To reveal the hydrological characteristics of the roof rocks and their impact on mining-induced failure, this study focuses on the Xinjie Taigemiao mining area. XRD mineral composition analysis, rock hydration expansion tests, and SEM observations were conducted on the Yan"an, Zhiluo, Anding, and Cretaceous Zhidan groups. Combined with field data from similar adjacent mines, the influence of overburden structure and hydrological properties on the development of the water-conducting fracture zone (WCFZ) was analyzed.The results indicate that:(1) The mudstones at the top of the Anding and Zhiluo formations contain high clay mineral content (dominated by smectite and illite-smectite mixed layers), exhibiting good primary water-resisting performance. In contrast, the Cretaceous and Jurassic sandstones have low clay mineral content and higher permeability.(2) The average maximum hydration expansion rate of mudstone strata is 18.83%, whereas that of sandstone is only 2.49%. The expansion rate is strongly positively correlated with clay mineral content, endowing mudstones with a self-healing capacity for mining-induced fractures.(3) Cretaceous sandstones possess developed pores with little filling and strong permeability, while Jurassic mudstones have undeveloped pores and superior water resistance.(4) The high-clay mudstone layers at the top of the Anding and Zhiluo formations serve as key water-resisting layers due to their high toughness and water-induced self-healing ability, effectively inhibiting the upward development of the WCFZ. However, under high mining height or fully mechanized caving conditions, excessive mining thickness can cause shear failure in these layers, leading to a step-like increase in WCFZ height. This may connect with the Cretaceous aquifer, causing a surge in mine water inflow and water loss. Pre-fracturing the sandstone layers beneath the Jurassic mudstone to control shear failure can effectively limit the development of the WCFZ.This study characterizes the hydrological properties of the overburden in deep Meng-Shaan coal seams, reveals the fracture-control mechanism of key water-resisting layers, and proposes methods to control their failure, providing a basis for water-preserved mining and water hazard prevention in the region.