Shilu Iron Mine

　　The Hainan Shilu Iron Mine is situated in Shilu Town, Changjiang County, Hainan Island. It lies over 280 kilometers north of the provincial capital Haikou and is connected by railway to Basuo Port to the west, just 52 kilometers away. It is one of the large open-pit mines under China’s Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, renowned for its high-grade iron ore and recognized as China’s largest rich iron deposit.

　　The Shilu Iron Mine ore body stretches from the Shilu River in the north to Yangjiaoling in the south, and from Shiluling in the west to Hongshantou in the east, covering an area of 16 square kilometers. It forms an elongated shape, longer from north to south and narrower from east to west. The main ore deposits are concentrated about one kilometer directly south of Shilu Town, centered around a primary ore body to the north.

　　The origin of the name “Shilu” is believed to date back to the 47th year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign during the Qing Dynasty (1782 AD), when copper ore resembling malachite was discovered on the surface of the mountain. It was initially named “Shilü Ridge” (Copper-Green Ridge), later changed to “Shilu Ridge” (Stone-Green Ridge). The mine derived its current name because it is located within the Shilu area.

　　The Hainan Shilu Iron Mine is one of China’s key bases for iron ore production. In addition to abundant reserves of iron, cobalt, and copper, it also contains various mineral resources such as nickel, sulfur, aluminum, and gold. Exploration indicates that the iron ore reserves amount to several hundred million tons, with grades exceeding 62%. Experts consider the Shilu Iron Mine’s wealth of resources and high ore grade to be renowned across Asia and celebrated worldwide, earning it the titles “Pearl of the Treasure Island” and “National Treasure.”