From Scarred Land to Thriving Green Oasis

Decades of open-pit nickel mining in Jinchang, Gansu province, left a vast industrial scar and over 100 million metric tons of waste rock. This bleak landscape, known as 'Black Mountain', was barren and caused severe dust pollution.

In 2009, the Jinchang government and Jinchuan Group launched an ecological restoration project. They stabilized slopes, installed irrigation, and developed an innovative soil-free technique using neutralized mine tailings and microorganisms to create fertile planting media on-site. Drought and salt-tolerant native plants were strategically planted to create a stable ecosystem.

Over the past decade, 2.68 million square meters have been restored, with more than 740,000 trees and plants from 116 species. This green buffer zone now connects with regional shelterbelts, curbing dust storms and serving as a replicable model for mine rehabilitation.

The park has become a vibrant ecological space, recording over 200 species of birds and insects. It is now a popular destination for residents and visitors, attracting over 100,000 people annually for recreation and educational tours. This initiative signifies a shift from passive cleanup to proactive, systematic environmental management.