In a remarkable transformation, the former dusty limestone mining area of Laohutang Mine Park in Changxing county, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, now abounds with flourishing greenery. Nearby, the ultra-low-emission renovation project of Huzhou Baixian Southern Cement Co has passed its evaluation process.

Systematic upgrades have significantly reduced the environmental impact of Huzhou's cement industry, a traditionally high-energy sector. Annually, the industry saves 450,000 metric tons of standard coal, cuts carbon emissions by 1.2 million tons, and reduces nitrogen oxides by 6,316 tons, improving regional PM2.5 levels by 6 percent.

At Huzhou Southern Mining Co's Dameishan mining site, autonomous electric mining trucks navigate precisely, reducing energy consumption by 40-60 percent compared to traditional vehicles and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about 2,900 tons annually.

"Our digital mining system ensures intelligent control from extraction to transport, with 24/7 environmental monitoring," said Qiao Zheng, the company's general manager.

An abandoned mining site is restored and repurposed into a tourism hotspot. [Photo/Tide News]

In Huzhou Baixian Southern Cement Co's plant, real-time emissions data is displayed digitally. The plant employs advanced denitrification techniques and comprehensive dust suppression systems.

Previously, heavy trucks clogged the S301 provincial road, causing pollution. Today, a 35.5-kilometer enclosed corridor powered by electricity connects the plants and ports, reducing carbon emissions by over 20,000 tons a year. The corridor supports seamless eco-friendly logistics alongside a new bulk cargo terminal.

The green shift of Huzhou's cement industry extends beyond production to ecological restoration. The city has restored 430,000 square meters of abandoned mining sites and repurposed them as popular tourism attractions.