The reserve of lead-zinc mines in Huayuan county is the second largest in Hunan province, and third in the county. The lead-zinc mines are on the hills where Laowangzhai village is located.
The area has been mined since 1986, and reached a peak in 2000. Currently, Taifeng, Sanli, Canlia, Tongli, Hefeng, Tianyuan and Hairun mining companies are still mining in the area even after the national and provincial rectification of the mining activities.