Many villagers are already benefitting environmentally and financially as construction of the green mine continues.

"I grew up here. In my memory, it was a desolate area, windy and dusty in spring," said villager Li Zeng. "Now, thanks to the afforestation efforts, huge changes have occurred."

The village committee contracted an afforestation project from the coal mine last year. Zeng made 8,500 yuan a month from March to December last year by working as a bulldozer driver at the project, the 39-year-old said.

He has also been engaged in a new afforestation project since March. Together with the money he makes from his farmland, his family's annual income now amounts to 180,000 yuan, he said.

"Many villagers are taking part in the afforestation project, Some plant trees, some sow grass seeds. We are all very happy," he said.

"I used to work on construction sites and in coal mines in other areas. Now, I work just on my doorstep. That's really good news."