Hua Jianbin, a leading mineral processing technician at the Zijinshan Gold-Copper Mine, has been recognized as China’s National Model Worker for his outstanding contributions. The honor was announced at a ceremony in Beijing on April 28, held ahead of the International Workers’ Day to celebrate exemplary workers nationwide and mark the 100th anniversary of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.

Held once every five years, the National Model Workers and Outstanding Workers Recognition Ceremony honors frontline workers across various industries, all of whom have previously received provincial or ministerial-level awards. This year, 2,426 individuals were recognized – 1,670 as National Model Workers and 756 as National Outstanding Workers.

Driving Innovation in Mineral Processing

Hua Jianbin currently works at the No.3 Concentrator Plant of the Zijinshan Gold-Copper Mine, the first project of Zijin Mining and one of its flagship mines. He is a senior hydrometallurgy technician, a senior mineral processing engineer, and a Category B Talent in Fujian Province. He also receives the State Council’s special government allowance for experts.

Since joining Zijin in 2009, Hua has dedicated himself to frontline operations, specializing in the processing of gold and copper ores and hydrometallurgical innovation. He has played a key role in optimizing production processes, including resolving technical bottlenecks, improving recovery, lowering tailings grades, and boosting plant throughput – all aimed at maximizing resource extraction.

He leads two innovation platforms: the “National Demonstration Innovation Studio for Machinery, Metallurgy, and Building Materials” and the “Hua Jianbin Hydrometallurgy Master Studio” in Fujian Province. Hua has tackled dozens of production challenges, delivering over 40 process innovations, such as optimized iodine value control for gold-loaded carbon, copper tailings and effluent management, and safety enhancements for ceramic filter systems. He holds 25 patents, and 15 of his innovations have won provincial and municipal awards—driving cost reductions and boosting operational efficiency.

Hua has earned numerous accolades, including “National Technical Expert,” the “May 1 Labor Medal,” “Industry Artisan” in machinery and metallurgy, and titles such as “Outstanding (Top 10) Young Worker” and “Fujian Craftsman”. He also earned third place in the national skills competition for the gold industry. Beyond his technical contributions, Hua serves as an expert reviewer for China’s national occupational standards in the non-ferrous metals sector and an evaluator of highly skilled talent in Fujian Province. He has contributed to the development of several Chinese occupational standards, including those for Hydrometallurgical Technicians (Heavy Non-ferrous Metals), bringing Zijin’s expertise to the forefront of industry advancement.

Translator: Lin Xinjing   Reviser: Jian  Editor-in-Chief: Fa Yuan