New open pit mines prohibited in Zhejiang

Recently, Department of Natural Resources of Zhejiang Province issued the Notice on Prohibiting New Open pit Mines and Strictly Managing and Controlling New Mining Rights, which requires to strictly implement the regulations of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province regarding "prohibiting new open pit mine construction projects in principle", strictly prohibit relevant departments, such as the Natural Resources Department, to set new mining rights (including exploration and mining rights) of operational open pit mine, and no alteration of the scope of the mining area, mining types and mining methods shall be made without approval.