Yangquan reconstructs an open-pit mine. [Photo/Yangquan Daily]

Yangquan city in North China's Shanxi province has seen more abandoned open-pit mines turn green since it started carrying out ecological restoration work on disused open-pit mines last year.

Focusing on open-pit mining areas, nature reserves, scenic areas, urban areas, important traffic routes, and areas around rivers and lakes, the restoration of abandoned open-pit mines has been conducted using natural techniques. 

Local authorities have coordinated the treatment and management, encouraged mining enterprises and related institutions to conduct research and application of mine area ecological protection and management technologies, and improved the efficiency of mine area management.

After a significant effort, the city's 1,339.5 hectares of abandoned open-pit mines had been turned into 320 ha of arable land, some 913 ha of woodland, and 140 ha of grassland, with the restoration rate reaching 100 percent.

The ecological environment of once abandoned open-pit mines continues to improve. The lush vegetation growing around the old mines has helped to purify the air, beautify the environment, and prevent and control the occurrence of geological disasters, which has in turn protected the lives and property of local residents.

Yangquan next plans to improve supervision of the funds being used to support the ecological restoration of the mines, and assign restoration tasks to mining companies.

The city will take the villages of Weijiayu, Shibuzui, Fushan and Qianzhuang as the core areas to integrate afforestation and geological protection during the ecological restoration work. It will plant trees, unblock roads, build large forest parks and geoparks in these villages and surrounding areas, so as to balance ecological, economic and social benefits.