Has soil regulation policy reduced environmental violations by mining firms?

Compared to research on air and water pollution, scholarly attention to soil pollution remains somewhat marginalized. Using the Difference-in-Differences (DID) analytical framework, this research examines the impact of China's “Action Plan on Soil Pollution Prevention and Control” (APSPPC) policy on mining firms. Our result shows that the APSPPC policy can significantly reduce pollution violations by mining firms. And this finding retains its significance after an extensive series of robustness validations. In addition, APSPPC mainly affects mining firms' pollution compliance by promoting environmental protection investment and improving resource allocation efficiency. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis shows that the policy compliance of mineral-extracting firms is achieved by increasing end-treatment and equipment purchases, while the compliance of mineral-processing firms with the APSPPC is achieved through technological progress and source control.