Coal mining waste damages section of Great Wall in China — South China Morning Post
In Ningwu County in China’s Shanxi province, coal mining waste was dumped through a breach in a remote section of the Ming Dynasty-era Great Wall of China for nearly 20 years. As a result, a six-metre gap formed in the structure, the South China Morning Post reported, citing China’s state-run CCTV broadcaster.
A breach for dumping waste
According to CCTV, damage to the Goujiayao section began in 2007. Unlicensed miner Ningwu Chaokai Coal Industry dug a trench through the wall to dispose of mining waste. In 2013, after several mining teams were merged, Shenda Chaokai Coal Industry was established and continued to use this passage to dump slag, avoiding long mountain roads.
Whistleblowers began reporting the violations to local authorities in 2015, but officials did not respond to these appeals, according to the broadcaster. Protective posts along the Goujiayao section were installed only in 2025, although Great Wall protection regulations adopted in 2006 require immediate action following reports of damage to the monument and notification of higher-level authorities.
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Fine and detention
Local officials told CCTV that the damage had long gone unnoticed due to weak protection of the monument and infrequent inspections. They also said that the enterprise stopped mining within the cultural heritage protection zone after 2019, while earlier violations were not properly addressed.
In March, Shanxi provincial authorities formed a special group to investigate suspected illegal mining and destruction of cultural heritage following public complaints and media coverage of the case. The company was fined a total of 1 million yuan, or about $149,000, for construction work without permission in a cultural heritage protection zone and significant damage to a historical site. The former head of the enterprise and the company’s actual controller were detained in May.
Ningwu County authorities on Tuesday pledged to strengthen efforts against damage to heritage sites and illegal waste dumping. Officials also said they intended to carry out emergency repairs, reinforce the wall’s structure and restore the environment of the adjacent area. A separate review of historical negligence and breaches of duty by officials is ongoing.
