Xuzhou to cut open-pit mines to 4 by end-2019

SHANGHAI, Jul 31 (SMM) – Xuzhou city in Jiangsu province announced its plan to reduce the number of open-pit mines across the region for its Blue Skies initiative.

The city will shut 17 open-pit mines for rectifications. Mines cannot resume operation unless they pass environmental checks. 

Mines will have to shut permanently if their mining permits expire, or if they are located in areas designated for ecological protection. 

It is estimated that this will leave four open-pit mines in operation at the end of 2019.