In the Qitianling Mountains, located at the border of Zhangzhou City in Hunan Province and Guangdong Province, there lies a rich tin ore belt with significant reserves. Since the 1990s, thousands of prospectors from across China have flocked to this area, situated over 800 meters above sea level, driven by the dream of striking it rich. Over the years, while many individuals have become millionaires or even billionaires, the region has also suffered from severe environmental degradation. A notable example is the Tongyanjing tin mining area in Beihu District, Quzhou City, where illegal mining operations have been rampant. These activities lacked proper permits and safety licenses, leading to violent clashes with Yitin Mine Company in Yizhang County, with some incidents involving firearms and knives. The pollution caused by these operations has contaminated drinking water sources in downstream villages and Yizhang County, worsening living conditions for local residents.
China is one of the world's largest producers of tin, with vast reserves and production levels ranking among the top globally. Tin mines are spread across 15 provinces, with Hunan holding 362,500 tons of reserves—accounting for 8.9% of the national total. While Yunnan and Guangxi are the main production hubs, Hunan ranks third, home to key mines such as Xianghualing Tin Mine, Xiangdong Tungsten Mine, Yaogangxian Wolfram Mine, and Rucheng Tungsten Mine. Some tin concentrate is also recovered from these sites.
However, the situation has not been without controversy. In the Qitianling Mining Area, Bozhou City and North Lake District Government conducted a public auction of tin mining rights without conducting scientific assessments or securing necessary licenses. Instead, they set an arbitrary starting price of 10 million yuan. Bidders colluded behind closed doors, turning the auction into a secretive process. Afterward, despite legal requirements, no strict oversight was implemented on mining activities. Illegal and unregulated exploitation continued under the guise of "legal" operations, further damaging the environment and local communities.
The consequences have been devastating. Local residents have faced land degradation, polluted rivers, and failed crops, while the government and mine operators have reaped short-term profits. This reckless exploitation has led to heightened social tensions and long-term ecological damage, affecting generations to come.
Underlying these issues is a pattern of resource mismanagement and wastefulness. Although tin accounts for only 12% of China’s mineral resources, it remains a critical strategic material, essential for modern defense, industry, and technology. Despite its importance, much of the associated minerals—such as lead, zinc, copper, tungsten, and rare metals—are often discarded during extraction, leading to significant waste of state resources.
The Qitianling area, known for its polymetallic deposits, contains over 160,000 tons of metal reserves, including 2,799.1 tons of lead, 2,163.39 tons of zinc, and 1,439.09 tons of tin. Yet, tin is often the primary target, while other valuable metals are overlooked. This practice highlights a broader issue of inefficient resource utilization.
Experts emphasize that tin is a vital strategic resource, with growing global demand. China has built a comprehensive tin industry, producing nearly 60,000 tons annually and refining around 57,000 tons. It meets domestic needs and exports significantly. However, with easily accessible sand tin resources declining, the focus must shift to improving primary tin mining technologies, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs.
Given the complexity of China’s primary tin mines—often containing multiple valuable elements like lead, zinc, copper, and rare metals—comprehensive utilization and higher recovery rates are crucial. Research and innovation in mineral processing will play a key role in ensuring sustainable development and protecting national resources for future generations.
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