From coal mines to green hills: Ordos' path toward modernization

CHN Energy Zhunneng Group turns the once mining subsidence areas into an ecological tourism destination. [Photo/Nuan News]

The city of Ordos in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region is turning its mining subsidence areas into "ecological wealth" and "scars" into "scenery". This approach has led to many ecological, social and economic benefits.

Ordos' development is closely tied to its coal mines. As China's leading coal city, Ordos is currently home to 320 coal mines, producing 810 million metric tons of coal in 2023, accounting for about one sixth of the nation's total output.

While coal has brought prosperity to the city, it has also resulted in large-scale mining subsidence areas, causing ecological damage and a significant reduction in arable land.

In recent years, Ordos has been promoting the construction of green mines, for which it has set up a fund worth 28.10 billion yuan ($3.95 billion), with 21.31 billion yuan already utilized.

The city has reclaimed 202 sq km of land from open-pit mines and put 248 square kilometers of mining subsidence areas under management, establishing a preliminary framework for the comprehensive ecological treatment of mining areas.

So far, Ordos has established 156 green mines, including 121 coal mines and 35 non-coal mines.

Enterprises in the city have made a number of innovations in ecological restoration. CHN Energy Zhunneng Group, for example, has integrated mine reclamation with ecological tourism to form a unique ecological industrial chain.

The group's mine ecological tourism area features lush grass at the foot of the mountains and dense orchards on the slopes.

All mining areas in the group's jurisdiction have been reclaimed, with the vegetation coverage rate increasing from 25 percent to over 80 percent, and the number of plant species exceeding 240. Various wildlife species, including ruddy shelducks, foxes and lynxes, have made their home here.

This initiative has directly created employment for over 10,000 people, increasing per capita income by 35,800 yuan and generating an annual direct income of 300 million yuan. The harmonious coexistence between humans and nature has created a win-win situation for economic development and ecological protection.