Mineral resource sustainability in the face of the resource exploitation and green recovery: Challenges and solutions

China's mining sector faces a pressing need to align profitability with eco-friendly resource extraction for sustainable development. Our study delves into the pivotal role of Renewable Energy Technology Innovation (RETI) in enhancing resource efficiency within this context. Analyzing data spanning 40 Chinese regions from 2000 to 2021, our research uncovers notable regional variations in RETI's impact on mineral resource sustainability. Rigorous validation measures, including addressing outliers and utilizing instrumental variable techniques, ensure the robustness of our findings. Specifically, RETI emerges as a catalyst for improving green mining resource efficiency in the Midwest and West regions but exhibits no parallel effect in the East. Crucially, the influence of RETI is intricately tied to changes in economic and human capital, offering valuable insights to expedite its adoption and optimize mineral asset sustainability in China's mining sector. This research contributes essential perspectives to propel the sector toward environmentally conscious practices and underscores the significance of adapting to cleaner energy sources for long-term viability.