Opportunities and Challenges for Green Mining on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau: A Case-Based SWOT Analysis

Niannian Li, Chonghao Liu (), Jing Liu, Xiangying Jia, Xiaodi Ma and Jianan Zhao
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Niannian Li: Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Chonghao Liu: Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Jing Liu: Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Xiangying Jia: Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Xiaodi Ma: Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Jianan Zhao: Guangdong Provincial Institute of Mineral Resources Exploration, Guangdong Provincial Institute of Nuclear Geological Exploration, Guangdong Geological Bureau, Guangzhou 510080, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: In the context of global sustainable development, the construction of green mining facilities has emerged as a pivotal strategy for advancing sustainable mining practices. As a substantial mineral resource base in China, the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP) is of significant concern due to its importance for mineral exploitation. However, the natural conditions of the region, such as freezing temperatures, low oxygen levels, frequent freeze–thaw cycles, and fragile ecology, pose substantial challenges to mining activities, making green mine construction an inevitable choice for mining development on the QXP. This study uses SWOT analysis to macroscopically evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of green mine construction on the QXP. This study adopts SWOT analysis to sort out, from a macro and systematic perspective, the internal resource endowments, technical reserves, external policy and market opportunities, as well as multiple challenges such as ecological vulnerability, harsh climate, regulation, and public opinion in the construction of green mining on the QXP. Furthermore, four typical cases, namely the Julong Copper Mine, Zhaxikang Lead–Zinc Mine, Zaozigou Gold Mine, and Duolong Copper Mine, are selected for analysis, and their differentiated paths in ecological restoration, digital mines, tailings disposal, and community-benefit sharing are summarized. International comparisons reveal the similarities and differences in policies, technologies, and other aspects between the QXP and other high-altitude regions. The study holds that it is necessary to promote the coordinated development of resource exploitation and ecological protection in green mining on the QXP through technological innovation, policy optimization, community collaboration, and the construction of a full-life-cycle environmental-monitoring system. At the same time, it points out the limitations of the current research in quantitative analysis and future research directions.

Keywords: Qinghai-Xizang Plateau; mineral deposit; sustainable development; ecological restoration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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