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A Universal Periodic Review Submitted by ZHONGGUANCUN Green Mine Industry Alliance to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights—Protection of Human Rights and Interests in China's Mining Industry May 25, 2023

2023-07-18

 I. China's mining industry, a field closely related to human rights

1. We have noticed that China insists on working with the international community to implement a national strategy that actively responds to climate change. Actions to adapt to climate changes are performed to accelerate the green and low-carbon transformation. Firmly implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, China insists that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, which has significantly improved the ecological environment. The mining administration department has made unremitting efforts to build green, efficient, safe, and intelligent mines, and mine safety has undergone fundamental changes. China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP have fallen by 34.4% in the past decade and the proportion of coal in energy consumption has fallen from 68.5 to 56% through changes in the energy structure and industrial structure. Besides, the air quality has changed significantly. 

II. Efforts made by China's mining industry to promote common development and protect people's livelihood

2. We have noticed that China has formulated Mine Safety and Health Management System Standards (ISO 45001) and China's Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Law by the Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Law of the People's Republic of China, Production Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, Regulations on Coal Mine Safety Supervision, Order of the State Administration of National Security Production Supervision and Administration of the Occupational Health Department (No. 73), Regulations on the Prevention and Control of occupational Disease Hazards in Coal Mine Workplaces, and Requirements of the Management System for the Prevention and Control of Occupational Diseases. The requirements for the establishment and implementation of a mine safety and health management system are stipulated to promote the prevention and management of occupational diseases. The standard requires mining enterprises to conduct risk assessments, establish safety management plans, provide training and education, monitor the occurrence of occupational diseases, and take corresponding control measures. 4. ZHONGGUANCUN Green Mine Industry Alliance (hereinafter referred to as Z.G.M) resolutely implements relevant laws and regulations and strictly urges mining enterprises to pay close attention to the occupational health of their employees. Annual health examinations of employees are performed to establish an occupational health monitoring and file management system for workers. Adhere to the principle of people-oriented, prevention-based, and comprehensive management and carry out work following the requirements of source management, scientific prevention and control, strict management, and supervision under the law.Abolishing the night-shift system was first proposed by Z.G.M, which fully reflects the outstanding contribution made by Z.G.M in safeguarding human rights and guaranteeing labor rights.

III. Contribution of China's mining industry to building a community of human hygiene and health 

5. We have noticed that the production and living environment of the mining area has a direct/indirect impact on the rights and well-being of the mining area personnel and the surrounding communities. Chinese mining companies insist on maximizing the protection of the environment in the process of resource development. Mining enterprises are urged to strictly implement environmental regulations and standards and reduce environmental disturbances from mining activities. Protect the rights of employees and local community residents to health, water and food, residence, production, and life. Pay special attention to food safety issues, and urge mines to hire professionals with chef qualifications for food safety. Local water sources, people's drinking water, and crop irrigation water are protected to ensure the basic rights of employees and residents to use safe, clean, and appropriate water. Comprehensive control efforts in dust control and waste pollution are strengthened to reduce air, water, and soil pollution and avoid threats to personnel health. Meanwhile, people's right to health is protected by taking appropriate pollution prevention and control measures, handling and disposing of waste, and monitoring and improving environmental quality. 

Ⅳ. Achievements of China's mining industry in building a community of human and natural life 

6. In recent years, the incidence of coal mine safety accidents in China has been continuously decreasing, and coal mine intelligence has been continuously improved with the blessing of science and technology. The intelligence of mines has become high consensus in the industry. Speeding up the intelligent construction of coal mines can reduce staff, increase safety and efficiency, and improve the essential safety of coal mines. Z.G.M has urged mines to strictly implement relevant standards for intelligent mines during the on-site inspection and supervision process. People's safety awareness is raised through publicity on the construction of intelligent mines and safety education as well as regular safety education lectures and related training. The idea of safety first and life first is always maintained. 

V. Efforts made by China's mining industry to protect women, children, and the elderly

7. China implements special labor protection for female workers and underage workers under the relevant regulations of the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China. Underage workers shall not be arranged to engage in quarrying operations underground mining and on the ground of mines, toxic and harmful labor, fourth-level manual labor as stipulated by China, and other taboo labor

.8. China's green mine construction attaches great importance to the protection of children's rights. Many mining areas and mining enterprises have established exclusive children's schools and migrant workers' schools in mining areas. Staff qualified as professional chefs provide daily nutritious meals and plan nutritional recipes for children in mining areas. The diets of children are improved by supplementing the daily dietary fiber, vitamins, etc. The children’s education and life of mining area workers are solved. Besides, exclusive play areas, cultural health and fitness areas, elderly centers, and other facilities are established for children and the elderly to enrich children's after-school life and the elderly's old age. It provides good infrastructures for learning and outdoorsports.

VI. The mining industry, main force in poverty alleviation 

9. The development of green mines has created more employment opportunities for the local area. On the one hand, the construction of green mines requires a large number of professional and technical personnel and green environmental protection practitioners, which provides more employment opportunities for the local area. On the other hand, mining enterprises are also main force in infrastructure construction, anti-risk, and disaster relief. They have made huge contributions to improving the living conditions of residents. The Chinese government has carried out a series of measures to deal with the depletion and unsustainability of resources for resource-based mining areas and industrial development in old cities. Effective measures and means such as capital poverty alleviation and industrial introduction accurately alleviate poverty and directly hit pain points, which provides guarantees and necessary conditions for sustainable development.

VII. China's mining industry facing some difficulties in the protection of human rights and sustainable development 

10. The mining industry is still facing insufficient technology and resources, ecological restoration, and other issues. Our ultimate goals include promoting environmental sustainability, adopting effective environmental protection measures, and reducing environmental damage. Mineral resource conservation and comprehensive utilization are enhanced to promote energy conservation and consumption reduction as well as mine management and production. The protection and rational utilization of resources can promote high-quality new technologies, processes, and equipment in the mining industry. A new path of green, efficient, scientific, and sustainable development is explored by the development of intelligence and the acceleration of scientific and technological innovation.