Development and Application of Ecological Restoration Framework in Jiangcang Mining Area, Qinghai Province, Northwestern China: A Case Study

To address the challenges of immature theories and technologies for ecological restoration in high-altitude mining areas, this study focuses on the Jiangcang mining area at an altitude of 3850 m, aiming to develop an effective and comprehensive ecological restoration model. Through on-site investigation and diagnosis, a site-specific approach was adopted, incorporating topography restoration following natural terrain, on-site screening of mine waste for cover soil materials, soil improvement with bulk blending fertilizer, mixed sowing of native grass species, slope stability analysis using Bishop’s method, and environmental monitoring. The results showed that the restored area reached 9303 mu. The soil structure and holding capacity of coal gangue and waste soil were effectively improved, and the artificial soil exhibited good fertility. Vegetation coverage exceeded 90%, outperforming that of the surrounding natural grassland. Surface water quality met the Grade II standard, and all slope safety factors exceeded 1.20, indicating that potential geological hazards were significantly eliminated. These findings suggest that this integrated ecological restoration model successfully restored ecosystem functions in the mining area, providing a replicable and scalable “Jiangcang model” for addressing ecological restoration challenges in high-altitude mining regions, with substantial ecological, social, and economic benefits.