China possesses one of the world's largest mining industries, and since 1949 the production of minerals and energy has played a critical role in its economic development. This is the only comprehensive source of information on China's mining sector available today. It presents a wealth of descriptive material, provides a detailed economic analysis of the industry and its role in China's industrialization process. James Dorian examines the history, practices, organizational structure, performance criteria, and constraints of the mining industry, than broadens his study to look at the interaction of the mining industry with other sectors of the Chinese economy. He argues that the growth of the mining industry in China has been instrumental to the nation's economic expansion, and analyzes its possible future after the recent industrial reforms.