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中国废矿坑数量全球第一,Nature:中国的劣势正变成能源王牌
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-09-06 04:39

Core Insights - China's abandoned open-pit mines, referred to as "earth scars," are being recognized as potential sources of renewable energy, specifically solar power, according to a recent article in the journal Nature [3][4] - The total area of these abandoned mines globally is approximately 48,000 square kilometers, which is larger than several small European countries [4] - If solar panels were installed in these mines, they could generate 4,764 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually, equivalent to ten times the total global solar capacity installed in 2018, potentially meeting global electricity demand by 2050 [4] Industry Potential - China has the highest number of these abandoned mines, positioning it as the leading player in the future energy treasure hunt, with significant potential for solar energy generation [4][6] - Other countries like the United States, Australia, and Russia also have potential, but China's vast territory and rich mineral resources give it a competitive advantage [4][6] - The transition from these "ugly" mining sites to energy centers could create numerous job opportunities, revitalizing areas that have suffered from resource depletion [6][8] Future Outlook - The successful implementation of solar energy in these mines depends on the reduction of clean energy technology costs, with predictions suggesting that large-scale "mine power stations" could emerge by 2030 if costs decrease significantly [6] - The complexity of the situation in Asia, where many mines are located, requires careful planning and categorization for effective repurposing [6][8] - The transformation of these industrial relics into energy sources represents a hopeful future, alleviating concerns over ecological protection and geopolitical issues related to energy station construction [8]