Mining

The Cerrejón mine, located in the arid plains of La Guajira in northern Colombia, is one of the world’s largest single-site surface coal operations. Its massive open pits, the long string of hopper cars on a private railway, and the coal-loading facilities at Puerto Bolívar combine to make Cerrejón a landmark industrial complex. This article […]

The Black Thunder Mine stands as one of the most significant coal-producing operations in the United States. Located in the vast energy-producing landscape of the American West, it has played a central role in supplying fuel for power generation, shaping local economies, and illustrating the scale and techniques of modern surface mining. This article explores

The Goonyella Riverside mine complex sits at the heart of Queensland’s coal country and plays a pivotal role in supplying global steelmakers with high-quality coal. Located in the prolific Bowen Basin of central Queensland, the operation is widely recognised for producing premium metallurgical coal that is essential to the international steelmaking industry. Beyond extraction, Goonyella

The Sandaozhuang Mine is an important Chinese operation focused primarily on the production of molybdenum. Situated within one of the country’s mineral-rich districts, the mine has attracted attention for its role in supplying molybdenum concentrates to domestic and international markets, for its integration of modern mining and processing techniques, and for its influence on local

The Dexing Copper Mine is one of China’s most prominent mineral operations, noted for its large-scale extraction of copper and associated metals. Located in the eastern reaches of the country, the mine combines significant geological value with broad economic and industrial influence. This article examines the mine’s setting, the nature of its deposits and production,

The Bayan Obo mining complex in northern China stands as one of the most consequential mineral deposits of the modern era. Its scale, the diversity of commodities it contains, and its role in shaping global supply chains for critical materials make it an object of industrial, environmental and geopolitical attention. This article examines the mine’s

The Shenhua Haerwusu mine is one of the most prominent coal extraction sites in northern China, notable for its sheer scale and role in the country’s energy landscape. Operated by Shenhua, the project combines modern open-pit engineering with massive logistical systems to move millions of tonnes of fuel each year. This article examines where the

The mining district around Benxi, in northeastern China’s Liaoning province, is one of the country’s historically important centers for iron ore extraction and heavy industry. For well over a century the area has anchored local economies, fed regional steel production, and shaped the landscape, society and infrastructure of the surrounding cities and towns. This article

The Fushun mining complex in northeastern China represents one of the most historically important and industrially significant energy and raw-material centers in the country. Located in the heart of Liaoning province, the area has been a persistent source of **coal** and **oil shale** for well over a century, shaping local urban development, heavy industry and

The Zijinshan Gold & Copper Mine is a prominent mining complex in China known for its combination of rich mineralization and significant industrial importance. Situated within a geologically favorable region, the mine has played a major role in the development of a leading Chinese mining company and in supplying metals critical to both domestic industry