Purpose of ReviewPollution by potentially oxic elements (PTEs) from mining activities poses a critical threat to global land ecosystems, with soils contaminated by Pb, Zn, and Cu representing a persistent environmental challenge. This review examines the case of Baiyin, a historically significant nonferrous mining hub in Northwest China, to assess the distribution, bioavailability, and risks of PTEs in mining-impacted soils. It also evaluates the effectiveness of current remediation strategies, highlighting gaps in large-scale applicability and sustainability.Recent FindingsBaiyin, with over 70 years of intensive mining and smelting, exemplifies severe soil and water contamination, yet its transition toward ecological recovery provides a scientifically validated model for similar regions. Recent studies indicate that while physicochemical and biological remediation methods (e.g., stabilization, phytoremediation) show promise, challenges such as high costs, long-term sustainability, and secondary environmental impacts hinder widespread implementation. Emerging multidisciplinary approaches integrating advanced monitoring and hybrid remediation techniques offer potential solutions.SummaryThis review underscores the need for innovative, scalable remediation strategies and long-term environmental monitoring to mitigate ecological and human health risks in post-mining regions. Baiyin's experience serves as a critical framework for global mining-polluted areas, informing future research and policy to balance ecological restoration with socioeconomic viability.