While there isn’t one single “meritorious mine” officially designated in China, the Haerwusu Coal Mine in Inner Mongolia stands out as an exemplary operation, embodying the scale and technological ambition of China’s mining industry. Operated by China Shenhua Energy, Haerwusu is renowned as one of the world’s largest open-pit coal mines.
Why is Haerwusu “Meritorious”?
- Immense Scale: Covering an area of 67 square kilometers, Haerwusu holds estimated coal reserves of about 1.7 billion tonnes, designed for an annual capacity of around 20 million tonnes of crude coal. It is a critical pillar for China’s energy security (Mining Geology, 2015).
- Technological Leadership: Haerwusu is at the forefront of “smart mining” initiatives in China. It’s one of the first demonstration coal mines to extensively utilize 5G technology, unmanned driving, and remote control systems.
- Autonomous Haulage: Fleets of autonomous electric mining trucks operate in concert, managed by AI systems over a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network. This is one of the largest deployments of driverless electric mining trucks globally, boosting efficiency by about 20% (New Atlas, 2025; GSMA 5G Business Accelerator Hub, n.d.).
- Enhanced Safety: The move to autonomous operations removes personnel from hazardous environments, significantly reducing risks (New Atlas, 2025).
- Integrated Digitalization: The mine is developing a high-precision 3D digital base and integrating various subsystems (like personnel and vehicle positioning) via 5G, setting a benchmark for intelligent mining (GSMA 5G Business Accelerator Hub, n.d.).
- Economic Impact: As a major producer of low-sulfur steam coal, Haerwusu plays a vital role in meeting China’s vast energy demands and supports regional economic development.
Haerwusu exemplifies how China is balancing its significant energy needs with a strong push towards safer, more efficient, and increasingly intelligent mining operations.
What aspects of large-scale, high-tech mining in China do you find most impressive or intriguing? Share your thoughts!
References:
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GSMA 5G Business Accelerator Hub. (n.d.). Intelligent coal mines. Retrieved from https://www.gsma.com/5ghub/intelligentcoalmines/
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Mining Geology. (2015, April 26). Haerwusu Coal Mine. Retrieved from https://miningeology.blogspot.com/2015/04/haerwusu-coal-mine-second-biggest-coal.html
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New Atlas. (2025, May 16). Chinese autonomous electric mining trucks get to work in Mongolia. Retrieved from https://newatlas.com/automotive/autonomous-coal-mining-electric-trucks/
