In recent years, faced with the dilemma of limited available land despite abundant mountain resources and high demand for land from numerous projects, Beilun District in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, has leveraged its resource endowments and development needs. By taking a “full lifecycle” approach to mining operations, the district has focused on promoting resource recycling and integrated development of mining sites, thereby effectively fostering coordinated development among resource exploitation, mine-site utilization, and ecological protection. In recent years, through comprehensive mine-site development, the district has successfully regenerated 4,100 mu of land resources, of which 2,450 mu have already been developed and put into use.

　　Proactively plan and scientifically design mining operations for resource utilization. Based on the current situation, this region is strengthening the alignment between mineral resource planning and the overall land-use master plan—the “two plans.” By assessing factors such as whether a site has the necessary conditions for large-scale mining, whether it meets the requirements for natural ecological restoration and management, and whether it offers opportunities for integrated land use, we have delineated planned mining areas. Furthermore, in conjunction with the urbanization development direction and key project layouts of surrounding areas, we will repurpose mined lands after mining activities are completed as sites for port construction, transportation and logistics facilities, or as part of contiguous development projects with adjacent land parcels. In this round of mineral resource planning (2016–2020), Beilun District has designated 11 planned mining areas, and during the planning period, the total area of land to be used in an integrated manner is expected to reach 520 mu.

　　Through centralized integration and ecological restoration, we’re turning waste into valuable resources. The district has gradually scaled down and shut down scattered, aging mines, while consolidating contiguous mining areas to create larger, more viable mining sites. Since 2010, 49 mining areas have been phased out and restored, and three large-scale, integrated mining zones have been established. Currently, the district has only five active mines—just one-quarter of the number in 2010—and two large-scale mining blocks with annual production capacities reaching tens of millions of tons each have already come online.

　　Implement protective mining practices and adhere to green mine construction standards by adopting the “mining and remediation in parallel” approach, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of ecological restoration and land reclamation. The city’s first provincial-level green mine—the Chunxiao Pashanggang Quarry—has successfully completed its reclamation and restoration work upon closure, thanks to the implementation of the “mining and remediation in parallel” strategy, resulting in the recovery of 1,100 mu of mined land. For historically closed mines, this district has adopted a comprehensive remediation and land-use approach, implementing “new operations on old sites.” By upgrading technological processes, these efforts not only make effective use of mine tailings resources and restore the ecological environment but also reclaim usable land, turning previously abandoned resources into valuable assets. For example, the Changlongshang Quarry in Qijia Mountain, an abandoned mine with over 30 years of mining history, was re-leased after closure and underwent remedial mining operations, reclaiming more than 700 mu of land. Over the past three years, the district has carried out ecological restoration and land reclamation at 14 historically abandoned mines.

　　Adopt a categorized approach to harness resources and enhance efficiency based on local conditions. First, focus on developing and utilizing resources in line with actual needs. For land parcels located adjacent to towns or industrial zones and with sufficient area suitable for development as construction land, plan their use according to the surrounding industrial development and urban construction requirements. Second, tailor project layouts to local conditions. For mining sites with unique topographical and geographical features, fully leverage these resources to attract and develop appropriate projects. For example, the climbing-hill quarry near Meishan Port has been transformed into a high-altitude plateau racetrack, taking advantage of its distinctive hillside terrain. The Chunxiao Gan’ao Maoyang Mountain stone quarry—the largest depression-style quarry in the province—has seen its excavated “deep pit” planned for conversion into a reservoir with a storage capacity of 6 million cubic meters, setting a new benchmark for the comprehensive utilization of mining sites.

　　Currently, the district has reclaimed land resources through integrated mining and land development, with 2,450 mu already developed and put into use for industries such as education, sports, logistics, and environmental protection. In addition, for mining sites located far from urban areas, characterized by steep slopes or small land areas, we are actively creating ecological landscapes by taking mine ecological restoration as a key driver. For example, the former Wumeng Quarry along the city’s main thoroughfare and the Xiapu Chenhua Quarry have been transformed into beautiful, three-dimensional natural landscapes following reforestation and ecological restoration efforts. Meanwhile, the Shaoxiao Gan’ao Maoyang Mountain quarry is planned to be developed into a reservoir, and its well-managed landscape, combined with the surrounding natural scenery, will be leveraged to create an attractive destination for leisure and tourism.