Hebei Province prohibits surface mining on both sides of major roads

The “Management Measures for the Implementation of the Hebei Provincial Mineral Resources Master Plan” recently issued requires that the open-pit mines with mining rights on both sides of highways, national highways, and provincial roads be closed within 300 meters by the local government; the visible range is 300 meters— Within 1000 meters, it is necessary to gradually withdraw in an orderly manner, or after the mining of approved resource reserves, the local government will shut down the mine, and the scope of the open-pit mining area will no longer be expanded.

The "Measures" proposed that new open-pit mining rights should be established within the visual range on both sides of highways, national highways, and provincial highways. The boundary of the mining area should, in principle, be no less than 1,000 meters outward from the outer edge of highway land, so as to minimize the impact on the landscape and the environment. . The newly established open-air and underground mining rights on both sides of railways, expressways, national highways and provincial highways shall also meet the requirements of relevant railway and highway safety regulations.

The Measures stipulates that, in areas where the mineral planning prohibits exploration, in addition to public geological work, new prospecting rights will no longer be established, and existing mineral resources exploration activities shall be gradually and orderly withdrawn; protection is provided in nature reserves, scenic spots, and water sources. In the forbidden mining areas such as districts, no new mining rights are newly established in principle, and there have been gradual withdrawals of mining activities.