The Pingdingshan coalfield is situated in a region of low mountains and hills, encompassed by plains, between the Shahe and Ruhe rivers. The four mines are located in the southern part of the central section of the coalfield, which is characterized by low mountains with a high central area and a low north-south area. The near east-west watershed is defined by the line of the ring drum platform, the small ring drum platform, and the 407.7m highland. To the south of this watershed lies steep slopes, while to its north is gentle terrain, creating a one-sided mountainous landscape. With an elevation of 505.6m, Ringgutai is the highest point, while near Chuzhuang has an elevation of 150.4m with a relative height difference of 355.2m.
The well field does not contain stable rivers or water bodies; only seasonal ditch flows exist here. The ring drum platform and small ring drum platform serve as watersheds for collecting slope water during rainy seasons that flows to both north and south areas respectively to form two separate streams: Ru River and Sha River. The highest water level elevation within this region reaches 83.79m.
The Ru River is located 12.5Km northward from the well field with a peak flow rate of 3000 m3/s and dry season flow rate of 0.28 m3/s; while Sha River is situated 4.5Km southward from it with maximum flow rate at 3300 m3/s and dry season flow rate at 0.8 m3/s; both flowing in northwest-southeast direction before converging near Fork River belonging to Huai River system downstream area.Within this region’s southern periphery lies Baigushan Reservoir, which serves as its largest surface water body with dam elevation at +109m, a total reservoir capacity of 750 million m3, and design flood level at +107m in the first millennium. Zhan River (artificial river) flows from northwest to southeast through the southern parts of the seven mines and urban areas with an elevation ranging from +84 to +91m and a maximum flow rate at 167 m3/s.
The area experiences a warm temperate continental semi-humid climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters with four distinct seasons. According to data obtained from Pingdingshan weather station, the maximum temperature recorded was 42.6℃ on July 19, 1966; while the minimum temperature recorded was -18.8℃ on January 30, 1955. The average annual temperature is 14℃.
Annual rainfall ranges between a maximum of 1461.6mm (2000) and a minimum of 373.9mm (1966), averaging at approximately 742.6mm per annum with monthly highest rainfall amounting to 481.3mm (July, 2000). The longest consecutive period of rainfall is nine days (April13-21,1964), primarily concentrated in July, August and September.
Annual evaporation ranges between a maximum of2825 mm(1959)and a minimum of1490.5 mm(1964), with the highest monthly evaporation occurring in July1959 at408.9 mm and lowest monthly evaporation occurring in January1957at40.7mm; evaporation rates exceed precipitation levels within this region.
The average absolute humidity records at13.5mmwhile relative humidity averages at67%. The freezing period lasts typically from November to March of next year, with permafrost depth attaining up to14cm(January30,1977). Maximum wind speed reaches24m/swhile average wind speed records as2.8m/s.The primary wind directions are north-west, north-north-west, and north-east, with the primary wind direction being north-east all year round.
Coal development and processing represents the leading industry within this region. The coal production ranks among the highest in China and plays a significant role in meeting energy demands and industrial coal requirements while alleviating coal shortages in the south. Transportation networks have been established with Pingdingshan City at its center, facilitating convenient transportation via railroads and highways. Apart from coal mining, industries such as electricity, building materials, chemical production, machinery manufacturing, electronics, electrical appliances, food processing, catering services and tourism are well-developed. Agriculture activities primarily revolve around wheat and corn cultivation. The transition from traditional modes of production to modern production techniques is underway across primary, secondary and tertiary sectors; the potential for urban development is substantial within this region.
