As the birthplace of the Chinese development concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", Huzhou in Zhejiang province, once famed for its mining industry, began a pioneering effort two decades ago to restore and repurpose its abandoned mining sites.

By integrating market mechanisms and focusing on ecological restoration, the city has restored and repurposed over 400 abandoned mining sites.

By the end of November, Huzhou had restored over 1,660 hectares of green land in abandoned mining sites, reclaimed over 2,060 hectares of arable land, and developed more than 2,660 hectares for new uses. These efforts have yielded success in both ecological restoration and the enhancement of land value.

An abandoned mining site transforms into a solar power station. [Photo/IC]

Today, more than 30 exemplary projects achieving the restoration and repurposing of abandoned mining sites in Huzhou highlight the benefits of such efforts, from improving living environments and driving rural vitalization to reshaping urban functional spaces and driving the green transformation of local industries.

In Changxing county, 16 abandoned mine pits in the Lijiaxiang area have been transformed into a vast industrial platform, attracting major investments, including from Geely Auto, totaling over 11 billion yuan ($1.56 billion). Similarly, Dongfengjie village's former coal mining area has turned into a solar power station.

In August 2025, Yucun village in Anji county completed the province's first transaction of geological ecological products, transforming a former mine pit into a new waterfall-themed cafe.