Improving Ecological Protection and Poverty Alleviation Outcomes of the Rare-Earth Sector in Jiangxi

Client: Asian Development Bank

Duration: 2018-2019

Location: Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, PRC

Contract Value: USD 399,300

Catalogue: Environment

Project Description

The knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) supported the integration of poverty alleviation and ecological protection efforts in Jiangxi Province, China. It explored the influence of the rare-earth mineral sector on poverty alleviation and environmental outcomes in Jiangxi Province, and prepared policy recommendations for improved integration of poverty alleviation and ecological protection efforts in the province, with Ganzhou Prefecture as a focal area. China requested TA from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for research on improving ecological protection and poverty alleviation outcomes of the rare-earth (RE) sector in Jiangxi. The TA is included in the country operations business plan for the PRC, 2017–2019.

Services Provided by NAREE

A systematic and in-depth understanding of the current remediation of RE abandoned mines in Jiangxi Province (Ganzhou) and the opportunities to improve local residents living and health conditions - After consultation with relevant bureaus of Ganzhou Prefecture, NAREE collected scattered information, most pointing out environmental protection issues but less related to residential livings. In addition, NAREE systematically analyzed issues of current remediation of abandoned mines and identified opportunities to improve local residents’ livings and livelihoods.

An in-depth summary and cost-effectiveness of the existing remediation model of abandoned RE mines in Jiangxi Ganzhou - As RE abandoned mines is completely different from other abandoned mineral resources, NAREE analyzed the environmental economic benefits and applicability of various remediation models. Meanwhile, Ganzhou Prefecture was selected as the pilot area, since it has already initiated to remedy some abandoned mines.

Summary of experiences of abandoned mines remediation - Current abandoned mine remediation mainly focused on the technical side, while social and economic aspects were less involved. NAREE analyzed socio-economic benefits of different remediation models of abandoned mines, summarized and promote these experiences throughout the province, to facilitate the understanding of economic development and poverty alleviation potential of abandoned mine remediation among relevant departments in Jiangxi Province.

Development of a set of effective remediation mechanisms and a series of policy recommendations proposed – Based on the problem analysis, the technology was no longer the main problem, while the participants, fund source and benefits of remediation were the main problems. However, the implementing agency of the abandoned RE mines remediation in China was the government, and the funds came from financial allocations. Obviously, it is hard to solve large number of abandoned mines in this way. Therefore, NAREE analyzed current remediation models and proposed a set of effective remediation mechanisms and a series of policy recommendations to the beneficiary, including implementing agency, participants, funding sources, and benefit sharing mechanism.