Published on: 2026-08-24
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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In recent years, Ordos, located in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of northern China, has prioritized ecological conservation and “green” development, making “green” mineral extraction a key driver of the transformation of this resource-dependent region. By July 2026, the city had built 191 “green” mines, including 32 at the national level.
An all-encompassing institutional framework for supporting the sustainable development of “green” mining has been established in Ordos. In 2020, the city adopted the first local regulation on “green” mining in China, which defined the procedures for planning, assessment, and accountability. In 2025, the measures for managing the mine geological environment restoration fund were revised, expanding their scope to include mining areas and affected villages, enabling comprehensive reclamation, land restoration, and rural ecological projects. Detailed evaluation criteria and operational guidelines were also issued, along with the implementation of a dynamic review mechanism for continuous improvement and tax incentives for companies meeting the requirements. Coordination between municipal and district departments, as well as active participation from corporations, strengthened the overall governance system.
Ordos has facilitated coordinated interregional reclamation covering nearly 50 square kilometers. In areas such as Dunsheng and Jungar, projects have been implemented, including sea buckthorn forests, modern animal husbandry, smart agriculture, and photovoltaic bases. The city is also developing integrated models combining mineral extraction with agriculture, tourism, and solar energy, creating a complete chain of crop farming, animal husbandry, and ecotourism that provides local employment and ensures that restoration work stimulates industrial growth and benefits local communities. In terms of digital transformation, since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan in 2021, Ordos has invested 170 million yuan in 38 science and technology projects. As of July 2026, the city has built 164 intelligent coal mines with a total capacity of 760 million tons per year. Open-pit mines use 279 unmanned trucks, and underground mines have widely implemented automation systems. The city has also launched the country’s first demonstration project of an intelligent coal mine based on 5G.Mining companies are required to submit reclamation plans annually. By the end of 2025, a total of 320 square kilometers of open pits and 491 square kilometers of subsidence areas had been reclaimed, and various projects related to eco-agriculture, photovoltaic installations, and the creation of mining park zones had been completed.
The campaign to eliminate historical abandoned mines involves investments of 910 million yuan across 32 projects covering 71 square kilometers. Among them, a key ecological demonstration project in the Yellow River basin included 237 restoration sites within six khoshuuns, restoring 28 square kilometers and practically resolving long-standing ecological issues. In solid waste management, 19 coal mines implemented backfilling technologies. In 2025, these technologies enabled the utilization of approximately 5.38 million tons of coal gangue, with one power plant generating electricity from the gangue. Water resources management combines soil conservation measures and water withdrawal permits, ensuring multi-level use of mine water. Advanced dewatering technologies also addressed issues related to coal slime. For monitoring, an integrated system was established in Ordos, combining satellite, ground, and online observation, with regular inspections to ensure the sustainability of restoration results.
Today, the former mining area of Heidaigou has been transformed into a national mountain park; the reclamation zone of Jungar Hoshu now flourishes as fertile agricultural land, and a vast photovoltaic field has spread across the subsidence area of Otog-Qianqi Hoshu. Intelligent mining, backfilling technology, the integrated model of “solar energy plus restoration,” as well as the “ecology plus industry” models have turned the region’s industrial past into a greener present, achieving a balanced outcome across environmental, economic, and social indicators. Ordos has paved a new path for green transformation, offering a reproducible model for other resource-dependent regions seeking sustainable development. Looking ahead, the city will continue to strengthen its ecological foundation and stimulate industrial progress through green growth.
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