China steps up inspections to crack down on illegal mining
2025-12-23 12:00:24 [Print]
Six Chinese government agencies have launched nationwide inspections to crack down on illegal mining, following a directive from the State Council Work Safety Committee Office.
Inspection teams, led by the National Mine Safety Administration, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Energy Administration, have been sent in two rounds to 12 key regions to check the sealing of abandoned mine shafts and combat illegal mining activities. So far, inspections have been completed in Guangxi, Hubei, Guizhou, Liaoning, Henan, Hunan, Fujian, and other areas.
The campaign focuses on whether inspections are thorough, mine shafts are effectively sealed, enforcement is strong, and regulatory mechanisms are in place, with the goal of strengthening local accountability and end-to-end oversight. To date, nationwide, 96,666 abandoned mine shafts have been identified, with 89,629 already sealed, achieving a 92.72% sealing rate. Authorities have handled 568 illegal mining cases, penalizing hundreds of individuals and holding accountable officials who failed to perform their duties.
Inspections will continue, as authorities seek to further tighten responsibility and strengthen safeguards for mineral resource protection and production safety.
Inspection teams, led by the National Mine Safety Administration, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Energy Administration, have been sent in two rounds to 12 key regions to check the sealing of abandoned mine shafts and combat illegal mining activities. So far, inspections have been completed in Guangxi, Hubei, Guizhou, Liaoning, Henan, Hunan, Fujian, and other areas.
The campaign focuses on whether inspections are thorough, mine shafts are effectively sealed, enforcement is strong, and regulatory mechanisms are in place, with the goal of strengthening local accountability and end-to-end oversight. To date, nationwide, 96,666 abandoned mine shafts have been identified, with 89,629 already sealed, achieving a 92.72% sealing rate. Authorities have handled 568 illegal mining cases, penalizing hundreds of individuals and holding accountable officials who failed to perform their duties.
Inspections will continue, as authorities seek to further tighten responsibility and strengthen safeguards for mineral resource protection and production safety.

