Shengli East No.2 open-pit coal mine, operated by Inner Mongolia Datang International Xilinhaote Mining Co., a sub-company of China Datang Corporation, has been greenlit to fully resume production, according to China Datang Energy Investment Co., Ltd.
The coal mine project, consisting of three phases, has received clearance to restart operations in the first and second phases, contributing a combined production capacity of 40 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). The third phase, yet to start construction, is designed to have a capacity of 60 Mtpa, making it the largest opencast mine in the world once commissioned.
Covering an area of 49.63 km3, the project boasts coal reserves exceeding 7 billion tonnes, with over 5.3 billion tonnes available for open-pit mining.
The pit was Datang's first project when it ventured into the coal industry. The project started construction in 2007 but didn't establish effective production. In June 2019, the project was shelved and the group withdrew workers from the project in August 2020, leaving the project on the verge of bankruptcy.
After a revival in operations in 2021, it suspended operations again in 2023 after a serious collapse at another open-cut coal mine in Alxa Left Banner, Inner Mongolia.
The coal mine began to start the rectification of hidden hazards in August 2023 and was finally completed after seven months, facilitating the recent approval for full-scale production.
(Writing by Riley Liang Editing by Alex Guo)
For any questions, please contact us by inquiry@fwenergy.com or +86-351-7219322.