This paper analyzes the geological structures, coal bed features, reservoir permeability, adsorption, gas content, resource potential of Dafosi coal field, Binchang mining district, Shaanxi province, studies the technology and adaption of the surface CBM development modes, and applies simulation and software CBM-SIM  to forecast the extraction effects of the vertical and branching horizontal wells of Dafosi coal field, offering the technical references for surface CBM development of  low-rank coal in Binchang coal mine or for other similar coal mines. Binchang coal mine is of classic  low-rank coal with its No.4 coal bed as the major producing bed, thick, low gas content with high permeability. The test acquired a good extraction result, up to 2 221.26 m^3 per day in vertical wells, and over  25 000 m^3 among the five horizontal wells. This paper suggests selecting the premium mode to develop CBM or to manage coal gas based on geology, extraction objectives, developing technology and investment cost.