Coal mining firm digs 19-foot pit into China's Great Wall, fined heavily
A coal mining company's illegal dumping hole near China's Great Wall grew into a 19-foot pit, prompting a heavy fine and arrests.
The Great Wall of China, one of the seven wonders of the world and a symbol of China's identity, is in the news again over a serious threat to its structure. The historic wall, seen as a symbol of China's military strength and heritage, has suffered major damage due to negligence by a coal mining company. Mining work near the wall resulted in a hole about 19 feet, or roughly 6 metres, deep and wide being formed in it, causing alarm among history enthusiasts worldwide and the Chinese administration.
According to available information, the damage occurred in a section of the historic wall in the Guojiao area of Shanxi province. In 2007, the local administration had approved a private company for coal mining in this area. While granting the contract, the company was clearly instructed that no harm should come to this historic heritage site. However, after mining began, the company, purely for its own profit and to dump mining waste, or slag, made a small hole in one part of the wall.
Over time, due to continued illegal use, this small hole gradually grew larger. In 2015, local residents and some tourists first noticed it. But because timely action was not taken, this hole has now turned into a pit about 19 feet deep. According to a report by state broadcaster CCTV, the incident is the result of extremely irresponsible conduct by the mining company and negligence by the local administration.
After the seriousness of the matter came to light, archaeology experts promptly submitted a report to the Chinese government. According to the experts, this section of the wall, built during the period from 1368 to 1644, that is, during the famous Ming dynasty, will be extremely difficult to fully repair. It is a historic heritage site for the entire world, and the wall, which runs for about 21,000 kilometres through northern China, is considered vital to China's security and tourism alike.
Recognising the seriousness of the incident, the Chinese government has taken immediate strict action. The coal mining company found guilty was immediately ordered to halt work, and the company has been fined about 150,000 dollars, roughly 1.25 crore rupees. Along with this, police have taken senior officials of the company involved in this illegal activity into custody, and cases have been registered against them.
The Chinese government had enacted a separate, dedicated law in 2006 to protect the Great Wall of China. Under this law, causing any kind of damage to this historic wall, carrying out illegal construction near it, or digging without permission is considered a serious, non-bailable offence. In this area, permission to build tunnels can be granted only for essential security reasons, but breaking or damaging any part of the wall is completely illegal. It is because of the violation of this law that the Chinese government has taken this strict action. The administration has now immediately begun repair work on the damaged section.
