to Anyang, Henan and to other industrial cities such as Anshan and Benxi in Liaoning. By the late 1950s the coal industry employed more than 80 percent of the working population. Although the mines continued to be developed and output increased, Hegang's industrial activity was beginning to diversify, especially after a large thermal-power-generating installation was constructed by the early 1970s. By 2021 the city's mining industry was in decline. Geography Hegang is located in the northeast part of Heilongjiang province, spanning from latitude 47° 04′−48° 9′ N to longitude 129° 40′−132° 31' E. Bordering prefecture-level cities are: Jiamusi (SE) Yichun (W) The region also faces Russia's Jewish Autonomous Oblast across the Amur River with an international border of . Lesser Khingan Mountains crosses the city. The total administrative area of Hegang is . Amur river and Songhua river are the main rivers in Hegang. Climate Hegang has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dwb/Dwa), with long, bitterly cold, but dry winters, and humid and warm summers. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from in January to in July, and the annual mean is . Close to 2/3 of the annual precipitation falls in the months of June thru August. Extreme temperatures have ranged from −38.5 to 37.7 °C. Subdivisions The prefecture-level city of Hegang is divided into 6 districts and 2 counties. The information presented here uses the metric system and data from the 2010 Census. Economy In 2010, Hegang's GDP grew 16.1% to RMB 25.1 billion, ranking tenth among 13 prefectures and prefecture-level cities in the province. Agriculture and animal husbandry are considered two pillars of the city's primary industry. Heavy industry dominates the city's industrial sector. Other major industries in the city include agricultural products processing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, dairy and related products, forestry industries, and the production and supply of electricity. Mining accidents Two major mining accidents have occurred near the city. In September 2008, there was a fire at Fuhua Coal Mine, owned by Fuhua Mining Co., Ltd. It was caused by spontaneous combustion of coal. 31 miners died (19 deaths, 12 missing). In November 2009, there was a gas explosion at Xinxing coal mine, owned by Heilongjiang Longmay Mining Holding Group. Out of 528 workers, 420 miners were rescued and over 100 miners died. Of the 60 hospitalised survivors, they had broken bones, gas poisoning or respiratory injuries. Transport The Yichun-Hegang Highway, the Jiamusi-Hegang Highway