New prosperity

"After years of efforts, now there are more than a dozen plant species that have improved the living environment through the four seasons, paving the way for more life to arrive," said Zhang Chuyi, who represented the designer of the restoration, Northwest Engineering Corporation, under Power Construction Corporation of China.

"Snakes, lizards, hedgehogs, and various birds have quietly returned," she said.

As ecological restoration progressed, the local state-owned companies also invested 2.5 billion yuan in 2021 to develop the former mine buildings into a tourist attraction.

The developers called the new site Fanhuayuan and gave it an English name, Fan Find Fun.

In December 2024, the Lujiang alum mine relics and their cultural landscape were included on the tentative list of the world cultural heritage.

"Protection is not about sealing it away but allowing memories to continue breathing in a new spacetime," said Hu Bin, manager of Anhui Fanshan Cultural Tourism Investment and Operation Co.

They invited cultural and historical experts and former miners to document the 1,300-year mining history and organize old photos, tools and production logs.

This tourism complex project is expected to be completed this year, with the goal of accommodating 3 million tourists annually, generating a revenue of 270 million yuan, and creating over 1,000 jobs, according to Hu.

"We left a small, unrepaired barren mountain on purpose, so future generations know that with persistent efforts, barren mountains can become green mountains and clear waters," said Deng Qingyong, a member of Fanshan town's Party committee.

"We also want to keep this historical scar so that future generations do not forget the pain after healing the scar. If we excessively exploit nature, all that will be left is heavy pain," said Deng.

Liu Chang contributed to this story.

zhulixin@chinadaily.com.cn