Tianjin, China — Zijin’s Chairman Chen Jinghe has called for deeper global collaboration to ensure critical mineral supply, suggesting that the “extremely uneven distribution” of natural resources worldwide demands a global resource strategy for major economies and mining companies.

Speaking at the China Mining Conference 2025 on October 23, Mr. Chen stated that international cooperation is essential in bringing together resources, markets, technology and capital to unlock mineral supply. He also noted that mining is an industry where much can be accomplished and shared Zijin’s practices in building and enhancing its competitive edge.

The annual gathering attracted nearly 10,000 attendees from 42 countries and more than 500 companies. For the first time, the event filled all exhibition halls at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin.

Geopolitics, demand shifts and a “majors-led” era

In his keynote speech titled “Forging Global Competitiveness amid Profound Changes Unseen in a Century” at the opening ceremony, Mr. Chen highlighted that the world is undergoing accelerated changes, with rising uncertainty and profound transformations in the global economy and the mining sector. He pointed to tariff wars, trade and technology rivalry that challenge the global political and economic order; a difficult period for the global economy; and a divergent outlook among emerging markets, despite more positive performance compared to other nations. Against the backdrop of great power competition, the security of critical minerals supply has become a focal point worldwide, and the global mining industry faces more complex challenges.

China, he said, is rising against all odds and has made critical minerals a national-security priority on par with food and energy. Meanwhile, the pace and size of new discoveries in copper and other energy-transition metals have declined, producing mines are grappling with falling feed grades and rising costs, and greenfield development is increasingly challenging. With the energy transition and geopolitical tensions re-rating the value of energy-transition minerals and precious metals, M&A activity in gold, copper and lithium has picked up. Top-tier miners are expanding by acquiring tier-one assets and through corporate mergers, pushing the industry into a new era led by global majors.

“Mining is in its prime”

“Demand patterns evolve with industrial and technological progress, but minerals remain foundational to the survival and development of humanity,” Mr. Chen said. “Mining is an industry in its prime – it’s where great achievements can be made.” Unlike intensely competitive manufacturing and service sectors locked in price wars, mining exhibits semi-monopolistic characteristics in many commodities, and China’s large, under-supplied market offers scope for hefty profits—“If you have a mine at hand, you are in a very fortunate position,” he quipped.

Gold has been the standout metal this year, with prices up more than 60% year-to-date. In an era of geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds, demand for gold and related products remains robust. Central banks are continuing to bolster their gold reserves. China’s gold reserves account for less than 9% of its foreign-exchange reserves; reaching the global average of around 30% would imply at least 5,500 tonnes of additional purchases. 

Seizing this historic opportunity, Zijin Gold International, Zijin’s overseas gold business, successfully listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and received strong subscription from leading institutional investors. The firm’s gold resources rank among the global top ten, and its three-year production CAGR is the fastest in the global gold mining industry. Following the listing, Zijin Gold International is striving to become a leading global gold miner.

Copper, a strategic metal underpinning modern industry and the energy transition, is poised for structurally higher demand driven by EVs, clean power generation and AI buildout. Mr. Chen projected that annual copper demand could top 35 million tonnes within the next two decades.

A global resource strategy

Aligning with the theme of the conference— “Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share” — Mr. Chen emphasized that mining is inherently global and a global approach to resource extraction will remain the prevailing trend. He called for efforts to deepen international cooperation and leverage the strengths of all parties, in a bid to improve the world’s ability to secure critical mineral supply.

He highlighted the active role of Chinese companies in recent years in acquiring and rapidly developing energy-transition mineral assets worldwide. He encouraged companies to explore and develop in resource-rich regions with under-developed mining industries — even in jurisdictions some Westerners view as higher risk — and to build comparative advantages through technological innovation to leapfrog as latecomers.

Zijin’s practices in building global competitiveness

Sharing Zijin’s journey, Mr. Chen said the company allocates resources globally and has built end-to-end, independent technological and project execution capabilities across the mining value chain — advantages that have underpinned sustained, rapid growth rare among leading global metals miners. Guided by the principle of pursuing “development for all”, Zijin remains among the industry’s leaders in ESG performance and has achieved its 2025 de-carbonization targets ahead of schedule.

Zijin is empowering its mining operations with modern technologies. It is now deploying digital platforms across all operations to improve operational and management efficiency. With the renewable energy industry booming, electric mine trucks made in China are becoming more and more mature. The company is rolling out electric equipment and clean power generation across China-based and overseas mines, delivering lower operating costs, reduced maintenance, and significant emission reduction.

Looking ahead, Zijin is racing to boost its global competitiveness to achieve the ambition of becoming a “green, high-tech, leading global mining company.” By 2028, it aims to rank among the top three global miners in terms of commodity production and key financial metrics; and by 2033 — the fourth decade since its inception — it strives to become a top global mining company.