China expands green mine construction scope

China has broadened the scope of green mine construction from a select few exceptional mines to encompass all mines amid the country's low-carbon transformation, according to a circular on Tuesday.

The circular, jointly issued by seven government departments, including the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Ministry of Finance, proposed to implement tailored measures for the green development of all the mines.

Green mines refer to mines that, throughout the entire process of mineral resource development, implement scientific and orderly extraction to control disturbances to the ecological environment within manageable limits.

China now has more than 1,000 national-level green mines and more than 3,000 green mines at the provincial level and below, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The circular has improved management by eliminating city or county-level green mines, and the existing ones under this category may potentially be merged into the provincial-level list after evaluation. National-level green mines are chosen from the provincial-level list and are made accessible to the public. In addition, detailed criteria have been established for the removal of green mines that do not meet the required standards.

The circular has also standardized the certification process for green mines. The fees for third-party assessment agencies are covered by the government, and it is strictly prohibited to charge mining companies. Detailed regulations regarding the qualifications of assessment agencies, assessment procedures, and regulatory measures have also been specified.

The circular has proposed the green and intelligent development of mines by implementing tax incentives for high-tech companies and different measures to propel environmental protection, energy conservation, water conservation, and comprehensive utilization of resources.

"As of 2028, the construction mechanism for green mines will be optimized, with 90 percent of large-scale mines and 80 percent of medium-sized mines in production meeting the green mine standards.

"Local regions are encouraged to adopt green mine standards to enhance the management of small-scale mines based on their actual conditions," it said.