<p>Understanding the correlation between microseismic (MS) activity and coal mining-induced disturbance, along with its precursor information, is crucial for predicting and preventing mine tremors. In this study, a two-dimensional discrete element model tailored for coal mining is developed by integrating the MS monitoring algorithm. The correlation between mining-induced disturbance and mine tremors is elucidated, with an in-depth investigation into the focal mechanisms and precursor information of high-magnitude MS events. Strong mine tremors are mainly distributed in the regions of low sub-key stratum, middle sub-key stratum and high primary key stratum (KS), with focal mechanisms primarily involve tensile, shear, and mixed tensile–shear failures. The KS typically undergoes the process of stratum separation, lower cracking, suspended roof fracture, and periodic breakage. The KS and the lower stratum are separated and suspended, similar to the double-sided embedded simply supported beam. The middle and ends of the beam are susceptible to tensile and shear failure, respectively. The KS then breaks periodically and acts as the cantilever hinged beam prone to tensile or shear failure at the support. The decrease in displacement and the stress concentration and release of the measurement point frequently correlate with the deformation and failure of the stratum. The onset of high-magnitude events in each region correlates well with the peak of stress concentration and the initiation of displacement change. When the high-magnitude MS events occur, smaller vertical displacement changes and sudden stress rise are measured at the undamaged proximity measurement points, and MS <i>b </i>values drop and surge in number.</p>