Abstract: In the mining process of extremely thick coal seam with hard roof, the deformation of surrounding rock of open roadway is severe, the deformation degree of surrounding rock of roadway is large, and the supporting structure is seriously damaged. Taking Yuenan Coal Mine as the engineering background, the paper analyzes the deformation and failure characteristics and rules of the surrounding rock of the open-air roadway in super thick coal seam with hard roof. Based on the FLAC^3D numerical model, the temporal and spatial evolution law of overburden stress during the mining of ultra-thick coal seam with hard roof is explored, and the mechanical mechanism of overburden in ultra-thick coal seam with hard roof is revealed. The control method of overburden cutting pressure relief is put forward and the industrial test is carried out. The test results show that: Top cutting and pressure relief technology changes the stress environment of the surrounding rock of the open roadway in advance working face, effectively cuts off the stress transfer path of the lateral overlying rock activation, reduces the influence of strong mining in advance mining of the working face, and effectively controls the confining pressure deformation of the roadway. The maximum moving speed of the top and floor decreases from 311 mm/d to 64 mm/d, and the deformation is greatly reduced. It is conducive to safe and efficient mine production.