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How did coal deposits help industrial development in Inner Mongolia?

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Wide autumn valley with golden grass in the foreground and low, tree-covered mountains of the Greater Khingan Range in the distance under a clear sky. — Inner Mongolia Da Hinggan (Greater Khingan) Range, southeast of Hailar, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

In Inner Mongolia, coal deposits have been instrumental to industrial development because they are found in thick, easily extractable seams. This accessibility provides a reliable and ready energy source for the region's manufacturing and industrial sectors.1

The availability of this energy source supported the rapid advancement of industry after 1950, particularly in Baotou, which emerged as a major center for iron and steel production. Beyond heavy industry, this energy supply has sustained a diverse range of manufacturing activities, including the production of machinery, cement, ceramics, textiles, and chemical fertilizers.1