China Green Mining Sector
China’s green mining sector, which aims to minimize the negative environmental impact from mining, is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the government’s dual priorities of environmental sustainability and industrial modernization. With over 1,200 mines officially certified as “Green Mines” and more than 3,000 green mines at the provincial level and below, China presents significant opportunities as well as unique challenges for foreign companies—particularly those offering advanced technologies in automation, electrification, and environmental protection.
The scope of the green mining market in China includes intelligent mining equipment, AI-powered monitoring systems, emission control technologies, and renewable energy integration. Backed by national policies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Work Plan for Carbon Emission Peak in the Mining Industry, the country is fostering an ecosystem of innovation and green development in mining operations.
On April 17, 2024, seven Chinese government departments, including the Ministry of Natural Resources, jointly issued a policy to widely promote green mine development across the country. The initiative expands green mine standards to cover all mining operations, not just model sites, and introduces unified national evaluation criteria, eliminating lower-level certifications. The government will cover third-party assessment costs, and green mines may qualify for tax and policy incentives. The policy encourages smart, efficient, and environmentally responsible mining practices, with targets for 90% of large mines and 80% of medium mines to meet green standards by 2028. This move supports China’s broader goals for sustainability, carbon neutrality, and industrial modernization.
Local governments are actively engaged, providing subsidies, land access, and R&D support to encourage the adoption of green technologies. For example, in the Shanxi Province, a traditional coal stronghold, over 134 mines have transitioned to intelligent coal mining, contributing to more than half of the province’s coal output. The local government aims to increase this share to over 80% by 2025 through incentives such as R&D subsidies and expedited environmental reviews. In the southwest, the Sichuan Province is focused on critical minerals like lithium and rare earths. With greenfield mining projects underway in regions such as Ya’an and Ganzi, Sichuan is positioning itself as a green mining innovation hub, particularly through partnerships with Chengdu-based research institutions and the integration of hydropower into mining sites.
China’s green mining sector is driving demand for smart mining systems, digital twins, electric haul trucks, and environmental remediation.
In sum, due to China’s scale, policy support, and sustainability goals, China’s green mining market will continue to be one of the biggest and fastest growing markets and will impact global markets on both the demand and supply side.
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