An aerial view of the Hongjinta Coal Consolidation Station. [Photo/Nuan News]

The Hongjinta Coal Consolidation Station in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, constructed by China Railway 21st Bureau Group Corporation Limited, began operations on Nov 3, marking the completion and commissioning of a key modern coal logistics hub.

The project is connected to Hongjinta Station on the Juungar–Shuozhou Railway and represents a total investment of about 500 million yuan ($70.42 million). It includes a 7.23-kilometer dedicated railway line and a coal storage, loading, and transport system covering 514.7 mu (34.31 hectares). The station was built in two phases, encompassing 27 individual projects.

Hongjinta Coal Consolidation Station is put into use on Nov 3. [Photo/Nuan News]

As the most powerful loop loading station along the Juungar–Shuozhou Railway, Hongjinta is equipped with four 10,000-metric-ton arrival and departure tracks. Each train can be fully loaded in under 3 hours, enabling an annual dispatch capacity of up to 15 million tons, greatly enhancing the efficiency of coal transportation from Inner Mongolia to other regions and reducing logistics costs.

The completion of the project strengthens regional coal storage and distribution capacity, alleviates pressure on energy supply, and plays a vital role in building an efficient rail-based logistics system and ensuring national energy security.