On September 8, 2023, the ecological restoration demonstration project for historical abandoned mines in the Ordos section of the Yellow River Key Ecological Zone in Ordos City held a commencement ceremony.

The demonstration project for ecological restoration of historical abandoned mines in the key ecological area of the Yellow River in Ordos City passed the competitive selection of the autonomous region in May 2023, and ultimately stood out among 34 competitive projects in 21 provinces across the country, successfully passing the national review with a score of tied third. The project covers 30 townships in 6 banner districts, with a total governance area of 32.15 square kilometers. The total design investment is about 597 million yuan, including 300 million yuan from central government subsidies, 267 million yuan from municipal government matching funds, and 30 million yuan from introduced social capital. It is divided into 14 sub projects and 18 bid sections, involving 461 abandoned mine plots left over from history, with an area of 22.43 square kilometers.

After the implementation of the project, a total of 78 geological and environmental hazards will be eliminated, 137.41 hectares of arable land will be repaired, 262.89 hectares of arable land will be added, 301.85 hectares of forest land will be repaired, 671.12 hectares of forest land will be added, 1239.52 hectares of grassland will be repaired, and 555.11 hectares of grassland will be added. This will effectively solve the ecological restoration and governance problem of historical abandoned mines in the city, and fully achieve the goal of "clearing" historical abandoned mines in Ordos before 2025. Editor/Zhao E