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Chokepoints
China · asset class
Iron Ore Mines in China
China has 201 iron ore mines mapped on the OverWatts open energy atlas — the 2nd-largest fleet of the 70 countries that hold any, and 21% of the world's mapped total. Of these, 138 operating and 37 under construction or proposed. The largest is Ansteel Hujiamiaozi Mine.
The largest owner-operators are Gansu Jingtieshan Mining Co. (8), Ansteel Group (5) and Bensteel Group Mining Co. (3) — Gansu Jingtieshan Mining Co. alone is named on 4% of them. Half of China's iron ore mines in service predate 2002 (median commissioning year of the 102 with a known date), 18 came online in the past decade and the oldest still listed is Ansteel Dagushan Mine, dating from 1906. 37 are in the pipeline, led by Anhui Huaijin Mining Jinzishan Iron Mine, proposed.
On the interactive map
Largest iron ore mines in China
- Ansteel Hujiamiaozi Mine2007
- Ansteel Qidashan Mine1998
- Ansteel Gongchangling Mine1949
- Bayan Obo East Mine1957
- Jingtieshan Mine1958
- TISCO Yuanjiacun Mine2013
- Bayan Obo West Mine1957
- Bensteel Nanfen Mine1912
- Makeng Mine1999
- HBIS Sijiaying Mine2007
- Benxi Longxin Mining Sishanling Mine2023
- Ansteel Anshan East Mine1914
- Pangang Group Baima Mine2006
- Ansteel Yanqianshan Mine1960
- Ansteel Dagushan Mine1906
- Mengku Mine
- TISCO Jianshan Iron Mine III1997
- Shougang Group Xingshan Mine2011
- Anhui Jinan Mining Caolou-Huoqiu Mine2007
- Baicao Iron Mine1998
- HBIS Miaogou Iron Mine1986
- Bensteel Waitoushan Mine1971
- Minmetals Lilou Mine-Huoqiu Mine2013
- Tongling Chemical Group Xinqiao Mine1950
- Jinbao Mine
- Minmetals Nihe Mine2023
- Baoguo-Tiedanshan Iron Mine1967
- Bensteel Beitai Mine
- Baowu Chengchao Mine1969
- Dahongshan Mine2002
- Jinling Mine1951
- Tonggang Banshigou Mine
- HBIS Zhongguan Mine2020
- Minmetals Laiwulaixin Iron Mine2001
- Wugang Daye Iron Ore Mine
- TISCO Ekou South East Mine1977
- Xinjiang Daming Mining Hamitianhu Mine2008
- Lugu Mine1965
- HBIS Shirengou Mine1975
- Tonggang Dalizi Mine1938
- Dazhong Mining Hejiao Mine2007
Who owns China's iron ore mines
- Gansu Jingtieshan Mining Co.8 4%
- Ansteel Group5 2%
- Bensteel Group Mining Co.3 1%
- Hebei Iron & Steel Group Mining Co.3 1%
- Luzhong Mining Co.3 1%
- Ansteel Group Mining Co.2 1%
- Baiyun'ebo Iron Ore Mine of Baosteel (Group) Company2 1%
- Baotou Iron and Steel (Group) Co.2 1%
Counts an asset once per company named as its owner or operator; a joint venture counts for each partner.
When they were built
- 1900s1
- 1910s4
- 1930s1
- 1940s1
- 1950s11
- 1960s8
- 1970s8
- 1980s5
- 1990s10
- 2000s23
- 2010s17
- 2020s13
Median commissioning year 2002 · oldest Ansteel Dagushan Mine (1906) · newest Shougang Group Macheng Mine (2025) · 102 of 201 carry a start date
Under construction & proposed
- Anhui Huaijin Mining Jinzishan Iron Mine1992 · proposed
- Anqing Daxing Trading Yinzhushan Iron Mineproposed
- Ansteel Anshan West Mine2027 · proposed
- Ansteel Heishilizi Mineproposed
- Ansteel Qijiagou Mineproposed
- Baiyuli Mine1984 · proposed
- Baizhiyan Mineproposed
- Bayan Obo Dongjie Legle Iron Mineproposed
- Bayan Obo North Iron Mineproposed
- Bensteel Dataigou Mineproposed
- Bensteel Hualinggou Mineproposed
- Hongge South Mine2030 · proposed
How China compares · iron ore mines by country
- 1. India248
- 2. China201
- 3. Australia98
- 4. Brazil56
- 5. Russia31
Frequently asked
- How many iron ore mines are there in China?
- OverWatts maps 201 iron ore mines in China — 21% of the world's mapped total, the 2nd-largest national fleet of the 70 countries with any.
- What is the largest iron ore mine in China?
- Ansteel Hujiamiaozi Mine.
- Who owns the iron ore mines in China?
- Gansu Jingtieshan Mining Co. is named as owner or operator on the most — 8 of 201 (4%). Next are Ansteel Group (5), Bensteel Group Mining Co. (3) and Hebei Iron & Steel Group Mining Co. (3).
- How old are China's iron ore mines?
- The median commissioning year is 2002, across the 102 in service with a known start date. The oldest still listed is Ansteel Dagushan Mine (1906); 18 came online in the past ten years.
- What new iron ore mines are being built in China?
- 37 projects are under construction or proposed. The largest are Anhui Huaijin Mining Jinzishan Iron Mine, Anqing Daxing Trading Yinzhushan Iron Mine and Ansteel Anshan West Mine.