Guizhou cracks down on idle mining rights

Authorities in Guizhou province have launched a campaign to address the long-standing issue of mining rights being held without active exploration or extraction, aimed at improving resource efficiency and strengthening industry governance.

The initiative follows the release of a draft implementation plan by the Guizhou Department of Natural Resources for public consultation, marking the formal start of a special rectification campaign targeting idle mining rights.

Running from March 2026 through the end of 2028, the campaign will be carried out in four phases, including comprehensive inspections, investigation and verification, categorized handling, and the establishment of long-term regulatory mechanisms. Over the nearly three-year period, authorities will conduct a full review of mining rights covering key resources such as coal, phosphorus, aluminum, gold, and manganese.

The campaign aims to identify cases where mining rights have been secured but left undeveloped, including the speculative holding of resources. Authorities plan to take targeted measures, such as denying license renewals, ordering the rectification within set deadlines, and revoking non-compliant licenses through public announcements, revitalizing dormant resource assets.

Officials say the initiative will help standardize the order of mineral exploration and development, improve the efficiency of resource utilization, and unlock the economic potential of Guizhou's mining sector, transforming resource advantages into development gains. Regulatory efforts will also be strengthened in mining rights management.