A coal mine in Ejin Horo Banner, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on October 20, 2021 Photo: VCG

 
Natural resources bureau in Ordos, North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, allowed Baijiahaizi coal mine, a large coal mine in the region, with an annual capacity of 15 million tons, to enter legal operation, announced by the bureau on Monday.

The Baijiahaizi coal mine is owned by Ordors Lianhai Coal Industry Ltd and covers the area of over 169 square kilometers. The time limit placed on the operating license has been set at 30 years until April, 2052. 

According to Chinese coal industry information site sxcoal.com, the recoverable reserves volume of Baijiahaizi coal mine surpassed 2 billion tons, with a service life of 96.8 years. 

The issuance of operation license represents a new approach to clear excessive coal resources that turn to the investment from local state-owned enterprises, the bureau said in the announcement. The bureau noted to further resolve difficulties with the approach.