Abstract: New quality productive forces, characterized by substantial increases in total factor productivity, serve as a powerful engine driving development. Against this backdrop, systematically deconstructing the spatial correlation network structure and formation mechanisms of green total factor productivity（GTFP） holds significant practical implications for promoting regional coordinated development and green transformation. Resource-based cities commonly face development bottlenecks characterized by heavy industrial structures and high-carbon energy mixes. GTFP offers a more scientific and comprehensive measure of their economic growth quality and sustainability. Using China’s 116 resource-based cities as the research sample, this study employs social network analysis to precisely delineate the structural features of the GTFP spatial correlation network. An exponential random graph model is then applied to systematically identify its formation mechanisms. Findings reveal that the spatial GTFP network in China’s resource-based cities exhibits a complex multi-core, highly connected, and robust network structure. This transcends traditional geographic proximity constraints, demonstrating significant spatial spillover effects. Block analysis further indicates relatively balanced distributions across broker blocks, net beneficiary blocks, bidirectional spillover blocks, and net spillover blocks, suggesting a coordinated functional network structure and strong resilience. Mechanism testing reveals that factors including industrial structure rationalization（RIS）, environmental regulation intensity（ERI）, research and development（R&D） investment, energy efficiency（EE）, and foreign direct investment（FDI） exert significant heterogeneous driving effects on GTFP spatial linkage. These findings provide theoretical foundations and empirical support for formulating policies on green transformation and regional coordinated development in resource-based cities. Based on these findings, policy recommendations are proposed across four dimensions: enhancing the radiation effect of core nodes and the integration of peripheral cities; promoting functional complementarity and synergistic upgrading; strengthening the microfoundations for GTFP improvement; and establishing regional coordination safeguards.