The seminar on the development of science and technology innovation teams for ecological restoration of chemical, mining, and geological environments, hosted by the Group (Bureau), was held in Beijing.

On June 7, a seminar on the establishment of the “Scientific and Technological Innovation Team for Ecological Restoration of Chemical Mine Geological Environments” of the China National Coal Geological Bureau was held in Beijing, hosted by the Group (Bureau) and organized by the Institute of Geological Research. Invited to attend were Researcher Jiang Hong from the Science and Technology Standards Department of the former Ministry of Environmental Protection, Professor Bai Zhongke of China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Professor Jiang Tao of Central South University, Professor Zhou Jianwei of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), and Jiao Sen, Chief Engineer of our Group (Bureau), who together formed the expert review panel. Also in attendance were Liu Bingqiu, Deputy Director of the Geological Science and Technology Department of the Group (Bureau); Dr. Zheng Houyi; Gu Qiang, President of the Institute of Geological Research and Deputy Secretary of its Party Committee; Liu Junsheng, Vice President and head of the innovation team; and Jin Tao, Assistant to the President, among other leaders.

At the meeting, Gu Qiang welcomed the experts and outlined the Institute of Geological Research’s industrial structure, research team, and current development status. He highlighted the institute’s new “1133” development framework—“one guiding principle, one foundational pillar, three driving forces, and three supporting elements.” He expressed his hope that the experts would continue to show their consistent support for the institute’s growth, bringing cutting-edge technologies, patented innovations, and high‑end projects into the development of the “Chemical Industry–Mining–Geological Environment–Ecological Restoration Science and Technology Innovation Team.” He also looked forward to seeing the fruits of scientific and technological progress blossom within this team.

Liu Junsheng briefly outlined the background and current status of the innovation team, noting that the team leverages the strengths of China University of Geosciences (Beijing), China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), and Central South University in foundational theory, cutting-edge technologies, and experimental analysis and testing platforms. The team has identified three key research areas: “Development of Technologies for Mine‑Related Geological Environment Remediation,” “Development of Technologies for Mine Land Reclamation and Ecological Restoration,” and “Development of Technologies for the Comprehensive Utilization of Mining‑Area Solid Waste.” Subsequently, the heads of these three areas—Zhou Youlian, Bai Jialin, and Zuo Jinxing—each presented their respective three-year implementation plans.

Following the presentation, the expert panel noted that the scientific team boasts a well‑structured composition and a balanced professional mix, with significant potential for future development. The team’s research priorities align with the Group’s (Bureau’s) core strengths, and its research agenda is both scientifically sound and strategically coherent, focusing on “ecological restoration of chemical‑mining sites” and carrying far‑reaching implications for technological R&D and demonstration‑scale deployment. The panel urged the team to further clarify its positioning and identify its comparative advantages and challenges within the first cohort of ten innovation teams under the China National Bureau of Coal Geology. It also recommended gaining a thorough understanding of domestic and international research trends, drawing on advanced foreign technologies and management practices, and articulating clear three‑year objectives. Ideally, the three research axes should converge on a single geographic area. The panel suggested adopting a developmental pathway that progresses from “mechanistic principles–technological R&D–experimental demonstration,” expands along the spatial continuum of “mine–mining district–watershed,” and integrates complementary dimensions of “safety–ecology–landscape.” Long‑term monitoring is essential, and the team should adopt a problem‑driven approach, seek corporate partnerships and ministry‑level funding to broaden its financial base, and pay close attention to environmental management and stakeholder needs, while prioritizing baseline surveys of mining areas.

At the conference, Professor Zhou Jianwei of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) delivered an academic lecture titled “Innovative Thinking and Key Technologies in Mine Ecological Restoration.” He highlighted emerging trends in environmental and economic sustainability, the mining industry, and hydro‑geological‑environmental work. Drawing on theories of natural regeneration, ecological restoration, and ecological reconstruction in mine reclamation and remediation projects, he provided a detailed exposition of systems thinking, life‑cycle thinking, solution‑oriented thinking, and eco‑geological thinking. Members of the innovation teams from the Institute’s Center for Territorial Spatial Planning and Design, the Center for Mineral Processing and Utilization, and the Center for Eco‑Geology, along with other relevant personnel, attended the event.