Abstract: In the Qing Dynasty, the Hu-guang merchants were attracted by the Yunnan mining development policies and poured into Yunnan to join in the exploitation and development of copper mines. Armed with a vast sum of money, advanced mining technologies and rich management experience, they started copper plants, built copper smelting furnaces, and provided copper mining services, which made themselves an key force in the development of copper mining in Yunnan. With the Dong-chuan region in Yunnan being an example, organization inscriptions and memorial records of merchants in Dong-chuan and other relevant literature are analyzed to discuss the active role played by merchants in Hunan province in the development of Yunnan mining industry in the Qing Dynasty.

Key words: the exploitation of copper mines, the Hu-guang businessmen, Dong-chuan region, inscriptions