Mining town eyes tomorrow by saving its past

CHANGSHA — Li Jianda's father recently shared his hopes of returning to his hometown, a mining area with a constantly improving environment and a state-of-the-art healthcare center in the works.

Li was inspired by his father's words, which indicate the fresh start being given to the town where he grew up. The mine mentioned by Li's father was built in 1958 in Suxian district of Chenzhou, Hunan province. Both Li's grandfather and father belonged to the workforce of miners who devoted the majority of their youth to the industry during the 20th century.

However, following the mine's closure in 2004, a mass exodus of workers ensued, leading to the gradual deterioration of the once-prosperous mining community. As the years passed, the mine's office building and dormitory zone fell into disrepair.