Located along the Yellow River in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Junggar Banner is a crucial coal energy base in China, with proven reserves reaching 58.2 billion tons. To address the ecological challenges posed by coal mining, the region has accelerated the construction of green mines in recent years, promoting the coordinated development of ecology and the economy.
In Narisong Town of Junggar Banner, there are 54 coal mines. However, the previous extensive mining methods led to issues such as surface subsidence and decreased vegetation coverage. Hou Xianming, Chairman of the People's Congress of Narisong Town, stated, "Since 2019, we have initiated the 'Four Points, Four Lines, Multiple Areas' ecological restoration project, aiming to change the development model and move towards a sustainable path." Currently, among the 38 mines in the town that meet the standards, 14 have been developed into green mines.
In the reclamation area of the Shigetu Coal Mine, abandoned mining pits have been transformed into agricultural land through soil improvement, where Chinese medicinal herbs such as Isatis indigotica (woad) and Saposhnikovia divaricata (fangfeng) are cultivated. Villager Li Min said, "There used to be a lot of coal dust around the mine. Now, the environment has improved, the sky has turned blue, and villagers have increased their income by growing medicinal herbs."
The reclamation area of the Changxu Coal Mine has developed a photovoltaic project. Ji Mengbo, the project manager of the Narisong project under China Three Gorges Renewables, introduced, "This project can produce 600 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity and 10,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 600,000 tons, equivalent to planting 3.3 million trees. It explores a green energy path for resource-based regions."
The construction of green mines has driven rural development. Gao Fuyin, Party Branch Secretary of Aolaobula Village in Narisong Town, pointed out, "Through land transfer and employment, the village's collective economic income has exceeded 5 million yuan. Villagers have achieved multiple income increases, and young people are also willing to return to their hometowns."
As of now, Junggar Banner has established 48 green mines, including 8 at the national level and 40 at the autonomous region level, ranking first in Inner Mongolia in terms of quantity. Additionally, the local area has built a national-level mining park, with reclamation and greening areas exceeding 100 square kilometers, laying the foundation for the green transformation of the industry.
