To address the challenges posed by stringent environmental regulations, scarcity of coal resources, and carbon emission trading mechanisms, this study explores the potential of utilizing coal slag as a substitute for fly ash— an aluminous corrective material — in cement clinker production.The objective is to enhance resource efficiency and achieve cost-effective, low-carbon manufacturing. Comparative analysis of the chemical and mineralogical characteristics revealed that while both are aluminosilicate materials, coal slag possesses distinct advantages: lower loss on ignition, higher alumina content, lower magnesia content, and significant pozzolanic activity due to its abundance of reactive silica and alumina. Burnability tests conducted at 1 400℃ demonstrated that raw meal mixtures incorporating coal slag exhibited superior performance compared to those with fly ash, with the improvement being more pronounced at higher substitution rates. Industrial application verification confirmed these findings, showing a 22℃ reduction in the outlet gas temperature of the preheater's first-stage cyclone, a decrease of 2.5t/h in calciner coal consumption, and an overall reduction in the standard coal consumption per ton of clinker produced. The enhancement mechanism is attributed to the combined effects of lowered partial pressure of CO₂ during calcination (which reduces the decomposition temperature of calcium carbonate), controlled magnesia content, and the pozzolanic reactivity of coal slag, which facilitates liquid phase formation. This research concludes that the use of coal slag offers a technically viable and economically beneficial pathway to improve clinker burnability and reduce energy consumption in cement plants.