China has built more than 5,500 green mines at or above the provincial level, marking substantial progress in its shift toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly mining model, natural resources officials said.

"Building green mines has become a common understanding among local governments, regulators, mining enterprises and the public," Dong Qingji, deputy director of the Ministry of Natural Resources' Department of Mineral Resources Protection and Supervision, said at a recent news conference.

Dong, reflecting on World Earth Day which was observed on Wednesday, said green mining requirements have been written into the Mineral Resources Law and the Ecological and Environmental Code, providing strong legal backing. A working system featuring government guidance, departmental coordination, enterprise leadership and public supervision is now largely in place.

"Upholding the principle of 'mining while restoring', mining areas have strictly implemented ecological restoration plans to carry out phased and zoned environmental governance and rehabilitation," he said. Some sites have transformed the industrial scars of past extensive mining into scenic areas, reshaping the image of mining enterprises.

At the Guojiagou lead-zinc mine in Longnan, Gansu province, mining operations are largely hidden from view while landscaped surroundings dominate, creating a model for modern green mining.

This progress stems from a commitment to green development from the outset, integrating sustainability into all phases of operation — from mine design and equipment selection to processing technologies and production.

The mine uses an underground mining method and tailings backfilling technology to fill excavated areas, reducing land damage such as surface subsidence and limiting tailings discharge.

Above ground, the site integrates industrial development with ecological preservation and landscaping, transforming the plant into a park and the mine into a tourist attraction. It has been designated a national 4A-level tourist site and a national industrial tourism demonstration base.

Advances in science and technology have also improved resource utilization efficiency. These include low-grade ore mining techniques that extend mine service life, as well as digital and intelligent systems that enhance overall efficiency.

Boasting the World Nonferrous Metals Museum, the Shizhuyuan polymetallic deposit in Hunan province contains 143 minerals, including tungsten, tin, molybdenum and fluorite. Facing challenges in processing low-grade, complex ores, the mine has pursued industry-academia-research collaboration and succeeded in making large volumes of previously uneconomical resources viable.

In northern China, the Yimin open-pit mine in the Hulunbuir grassland of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region operates in a fragile ecological environment, requiring strict green and low-carbon standards.

Through technological upgrades and process optimization, raw coal is transported directly to a nearby power plant via a 32.8-kilometer fully enclosed conveyor belt corridor, enabling clean, zero-exposure transport.

Electricity generated by the plant, along with power from photovoltaic facilities, is supplied to the grid and used in mine operations. The mine has also established a digital intelligent platform aimed at advancing unmanned production to improve safety and efficiency.

China's experience in building green mines has provided a model for the global mining industry, particularly for countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The Cukaru Peki copper-gold mine in Serbia, built and operated by Zijin Mining Group Co, was hailed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic as 'Serbia's first green mine', meeting the highest environmental standards in the country," Dong said.

The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) emphasizes enhancing the comprehensive utilization of mineral resources and promoting green exploration and mine construction.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is conducting a new round of selection for national-level green mines, aiming to promote high-quality development of the mining sector and contribute to building a "Beautiful China".

limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn