North China's coal-rich Shanxi province recently released a 2020 plan for energy conservation and the comprehensive utilization of resources, local officials said.

They said the plan was to expand the efficient, high-value and large-scale use of industrial solid waste and high-quality developments in the two sectors.

According to the Shanxi Department of Industry and Information Technology, the province's Shuozhou, Jincheng and Changzhi cities will accelerate the construction of national-level bases for industrial resources utilization and advanced industrial cluster developments for resources utilization. 

Shuozhou in northern Shanxi will develop coal gangue-using industrial clusters through its Shendian Industrial Solid Waste Comprehensive Utilization Park and Huairen Ceramics Industrial Park. 

Officials said it will aim to become the biggest coal gangue power generation base in China by establishing more coal gangue power plants in the city, as well as research and develop industrial solid waste-based products with high-added value. 

Jincheng in southeastern Shanxi will make full use of leading environmental technology and coal companies to put together plans for the comprehensive utilization of coal gangue, fly ash, desulfurized gypsum and smelting slag to achieve high-quality development of solid waste resources. 

Changzhi in southeastern Shanxi will focus on promoting solid waste high quality developments such as coal gangue power generation and fly ash-made concrete admixtures in local areas -- especially in Lucheng district, Tunliu district and Xiangyuan county.