• Rockburst stress initially increases then decreases with loading rate, with mica-schist showing more severe damage and tensile cracking.
• AE amplitude variance outperforms entropy for identifying rockburst precursors, especially in mica-schist.
• Early warning time negatively correlates with loading rate; mica-schist consistently yields shorter warning times than slate.
• Critical slowing down (CSD) theory provides enhanced sensitivity for early warning and is recommended for practical systems.