Mining banned on China’s sacred mountains

Chinese authorities have banned mining on mountains sacred to Buddhists, Xinhua reported on Friday, after monks protested that blasting was damaging ancient temples.
English
"We had to endure the almost deafening blasts, but the explosions can’t be heard any more. The government measures are taking effect,"
Abbot Shi Renfa, from central China’s Wutai Mountain, was quoted as saying.
There are around 3,000 Buddhists monks and nuns living in 47 temples on Wutai Mountain, some of which date back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), the report said.
But the sacred mountains are also home to rich iron ore deposits, and have been "vigorously exploited by mining companies" the report added.