Zijin Mining, a major global metals miner, has been featured in a landmark Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) report for its exemplary ESG performance. The report, titled SSE ESG Practices in Two Decades Guided by the “Two Mountains” Philosophy, was released on August 15 to mark the 20th anniversary of the “green mountains are gold mountains” concept, which posits that ecological health is as valuable as economic wealth.

The SSE report outlines the evolution of ESG in China, from policies and milestone events to corporate practices from 2005 to 2025. It presents year-by-year case studies from 32 companies across 17 industries, reflecting the historic shift from sporadic voluntary disclosures to systematic, compliance-driven ESG reporting by SSE-listed companies. Zijin Mining is highlighted in the report’s case study section with a detailed segment on its pursuit of low-carbon transition and inclusive growth.

Industry-leading Practices

Zijin’s feature within the report, titled “Actively Benchmarking Against International Standards and Exploring Industry Best Practices”, outlines the company’s progressive ESG journey—setting strategic ESG goals in 2021, adopting the TCFD framework in its climate response report in 2023, and aligning its ESG report with the IFRS S1 standard in 2024. It also illustrates Zijin’s transition from international benchmarking to industry leadership with concrete figures: As of 2024, the company’s carbon emissions per unit of industrial added value had fallen by 21% compared to its 2020 levels, achieving its 2025 target ahead of schedule. Since 2021, its installed clean energy capacity has expanded more than fivefold and its re-vegetated areas have reached 34.76 million square meters. Notably, the company’s annual social contribution grew by over 30% on average since 2021, benefiting employees, communities and society at large.

Translator: Li Yuanxing   Reviser: Jian  Editor-in-Chief: Fa Yuan