Full Breakdown
Coal-Mining Waste Destroys Remote Ming-Era Stretch of China’s Great Wall
By Drooid · · How we work
Damage to the Guojiayao Section
A remote segment of the Great Wall in Ningwu county, Shanxi province, has been severely damaged by the illegal dumping of coal-mining waste. Beginning in 2007, an unlicensed operator, Ningwu Chaokai Coal Industry, cut a trench through the wall to use the breach as a shortcut for disposing of slag. After the company’s consolidation into Shenda Chaokai Coal Industry in 2013, the practice continued, allowing large volumes of excavation waste to be dumped directly onto the historic masonry. The affected stretch, known as the Guojiayao section, dates to the Ming dynasty and lies far from the tourist-focused, restored portions near Beijing.
Background of the Mining Operations
The wall segment sits in a mountainous area that historically required long, winding routes for transporting coal. Mining firms sought to avoid these routes by creating a direct passage through the wall, thereby reducing transport costs. Over nearly two decades, the practice persisted despite repeated warnings from local whistle-blowers, who alerted authorities to the environmental and cultural harm.
Official Acknowledgment and Response
A report by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV confirmed the long-term dumping and cited the whistle-blower alerts. The report indicated that local officials were aware of the illegal activity but did not intervene effectively, allowing the damage to accumulate. No public statement from the mining companies has been released, and the article does not detail any corrective measures taken by government agencies.
Impact on Heritage and Environment
The wall’s structural integrity in the Guojiayao area has been compromised, with large sections of stone removed or buried under slag. This not only threatens the preservation of a UNESCO-listed cultural landmark but also raises concerns about soil contamination and landscape degradation in the surrounding region.
What Remains Unclear
The extent of the damage, the total volume of waste dumped, and any forthcoming remediation plans have not been disclosed. Further investigation is needed to determine whether legal action will be pursued against the mining entities and how the heritage site might be restored.