China marked the 33rd World Earth Day with activities in downtown areas of Beijing on Monday, urging environmental protection against mining damage.

Mining activities have caused land collapses at more than 180 sites across China and affected more than 1,150 square kilometers.

Nearly 40 cities suffered from subsidence disasters as a result of mining, with 25 cities the worst affected. Economic losses from mining-based subsidence cost more than 400 million yuan (48 million U.S. dollars) every year.

Chinese mining ventures produced 13.38 billion tons of solid waste each year, with less than 7 percent treated.

About 20,000 square kilometers of land have been destroyed or occupied by open-cast mining and the stock-piling of waste residue. And the area affected is increasing by 200 square kilometers every year.

Waste water released from mines makes up 10 percent of the national total of industrial waste water, but the treatment rate is only 4 percent.

Officials from the Ministry of Land and Resources attribute the major reason for damage from mining to the lack of laws and regulations, funds for environmental protection and necessary technologies.

The ministry will strengthen the drafting of laws and regulations, set up special funds for environmental protection against mining, to monitor the environment and strengthen international cooperation in technological research.

World Earth Day originated in the United States 32 years ago, aiming to raise global awareness of environmental issues. So far, about 200 million people in more than 140 countries and regions have participated in Earth Day activities.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2002)