Yidu restores depleted mining areas for green development
2026-01-11 21:01:42
By Hu Yikai.
Yidu’s depleted mining area restoration project has delivered notable results, including rebuilding ecosystems around former mining zones, restoring land for forestry, construction, agriculture, and dredging river channels.
The project, which covers 11 restoration zones, was selected as a national exemplary project and received funding from China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
Among its achievements, the project eliminated geological hazards at the Songyi Mining Area and transformed it into the only coal mining research and educational base in Hubei Province. This effort has helped shift the local economy away from traditional coal-based industries toward a more sustainable development model.
With a total investment of 240 million yuan (US$34.37 million), the project covered seven mining sites. It freed up approximately 600 mu (40 hectares) of land for construction, restored 257.27 hectares of forest land, added 5.53 hectares of construction land, and reclaimed 16.2 hectares of previously idle land for agriculture. In addition, 14.5 kilometers of riverbed were dredged and restored, with 5,420 meters reinforced.
The project is now exploring the area's industrial and mining cultural heritage. A cultural exhibition hall has been built, and eco-cultural tourism routes are under development. These efforts support rural growth and explore a development model that integrates ecological restoration with economic benefits.
Ma Yuanchen and Wang Guangyu also contributed to this story.
Yidu’s depleted mining area restoration project has delivered notable results, including rebuilding ecosystems around former mining zones, restoring land for forestry, construction, agriculture, and dredging river channels.
The project, which covers 11 restoration zones, was selected as a national exemplary project and received funding from China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
Among its achievements, the project eliminated geological hazards at the Songyi Mining Area and transformed it into the only coal mining research and educational base in Hubei Province. This effort has helped shift the local economy away from traditional coal-based industries toward a more sustainable development model.
Before-and-after aerial comparison of ecological restoration at the Houzidong Coal Mine site. Photo from Yichang Natural Resources Bureau.
With a total investment of 240 million yuan (US$34.37 million), the project covered seven mining sites. It freed up approximately 600 mu (40 hectares) of land for construction, restored 257.27 hectares of forest land, added 5.53 hectares of construction land, and reclaimed 16.2 hectares of previously idle land for agriculture. In addition, 14.5 kilometers of riverbed were dredged and restored, with 5,420 meters reinforced.
The project is now exploring the area's industrial and mining cultural heritage. A cultural exhibition hall has been built, and eco-cultural tourism routes are under development. These efforts support rural growth and explore a development model that integrates ecological restoration with economic benefits.
Ma Yuanchen and Wang Guangyu also contributed to this story.
