Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the environmental restoration efforts in Baihe County, Shaanxi, focusing on the remediation of pollution caused by abandoned sulfur iron mines, which has significantly improved local water quality and revitalized the community's economy. Group 1: Historical Context - Baihe County was historically reliant on mining, particularly sulfur iron, which led to severe environmental degradation, including the contamination of local water sources with acidic "sulfur water" [2][5][10]. - The mining practices were crude and unregulated, resulting in long-term ecological damage and health hazards for local residents [5][10][13]. Group 2: Remediation Efforts - Starting in 2000, Baihe County began shutting down all sulfur iron mining operations and initiated pollution control measures, but initial efforts were insufficient [2][24]. - A comprehensive remediation project launched in 2020 involved sealing over 200 abandoned mine shafts and disposing of more than 1 million cubic meters of mining waste [2][24]. - The project faced challenges due to the complex terrain and the need for innovative solutions, such as using a new material called KEP for sealing mine shafts [15][17]. Group 3: Results and Impact - As of mid-August this year, the length of polluted "sulfur water" has been reduced from 56 kilometers to 11.6 kilometers, with water quality consistently meeting national Class II surface water standards [24]. - The environmental improvements have facilitated economic development, leading to the establishment of 30,000 acres of ecological tea gardens and the creation of local jobs [24][28]. - The community has experienced a transformation, with residents noting significant changes in water clarity and overall environmental quality [24][28].