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On October 17, leading global metals miner Zijin announced a new strategy to strengthen its global competitive edge through science and technology over the next decade. The vision was unveiled by its chairman at the company’s 8th Science and Technology Conference held at its headquarters in Shanghang, Fujian.
With its growth underpinned by technology, Zijin aims to accelerate its push to become a “green, high-tech, top global mining company” by advancing innovation in frontier technologies, digitalization, and intelligent mines and plants.
The strategy comes at a time of both intense rivalry and a new golden age for the global mining industry. The world has entered an era shaped by energy transition, artificial intelligence and intelligent manufacturing, increasing the importance of metals such as gold, copper and lithium and ushering in a golden age for mining. Meanwhile, global uncertainty is rising and competition for mineral resources has become white-hot.
Speaking at the conference, held every three years, Zou Laichang, Zijin’s Chairman, said, “Technological progress and independent innovation are now deeply embedded across the entire mining value chain. They hold the key for miners seeking to stand out in today’s competitive environment.”
Navigating an age of rivalry
Mr. Zou noted that the global mining industry is undergoing profound structural change, with unprecedentedly intense competition across resources, talent, and markets. He said that miners now compete on a wide range of dimensions – resource base, technology barriers, supply chain resilience, green mining and compliance, and global footprint.
According to the Global Mining Development Report 2026, technological innovation is reshaping the entire mining industry. With the adoption of artificial intelligence, big data and other digital technologies, the sector has entered a period of systematic transformation.
The industry faces a series of challenges, including declining availability of high-quality deposits, falling ore grades at producing mines and increasing constraints from the low-carbon transition. Against this backdrop, it is essential for industry players to strengthen technological innovation, develop frontier technologies, expand resource footprint and improve efficiency across the value chain. “Technological innovation has always been a key driver of sustainable growth in the mining industry,” Zou Laichang concluded.
Leveraging technology to stay ahead
Technological innovation has been central to Zijin’s growth over the past 33 years since its inception. Through independent research and development, the company has achieved breakthroughs in technology and project delivery capabilities in general. Its efforts have unlocked value in previously unviable deposits and opened new pathways for efficient and sustainable mining, instilling technology in its DNA.
The company’s Science and Technology Conference has become a platform for discussing industry trends and sharing global experience and insights. This year’s conference also marked the unveiling of the company’s fresh technology strategy under its new management team.
Zijin will remain committed to technological innovation—a core driver of its leapfrog growth, tackling bottlenecks by addressing root causes at technical and process levels and striving for industry-leading breakthroughs in key areas. It also aims to ensure seamless application of research results in production activities, while building a distinctive global technology management framework to stimulate innovation.
Over the next decade, Zijin will work to build a global competitive edge led by technology, supporting its broader ambition to become a top global mining company.
Advancing cooperation in a new golden age
Zijin’s growth journey— from first developing the Zijinshan mine to expansion across China and the world — has been fueled by cooperation with partners and stakeholders worldwide. The company believes the future of mining will increasingly be shaped by resource collaboration, innovation, intelligent operations, and green, low-carbon transition, which will bring benefits for all in a new golden age for mining.
Against a backdrop of changing global dynamics and industry transformation, Zou Laichang called for stronger cooperation across the mining sector, including joint efforts to develop international mechanisms, follow international rules, and expand global cooperation. He said Zijin is ready to work with partners to address common technical and equipment issues, improve supply-chain resilience and efficiency, and navigate geopolitical challenges. This is aimed at making the mining value chain more competitive and providing more accessible, higher-purity materials for the technological advancement of mankind.
Looking ahead, guided by the principle of consultation and contribution for shared benefits, Zijin will collaborate with global stakeholders to advance technological innovation and upgrade industrial capabilities, contributing to the responsible and sustainable development of the global mining industry.
About Zijin Mining
Zijin Mining is a leading global metals and mining company and one of the world’s largest producers of gold, copper, and zinc. The company has more than 30 large-scale mining operations and projects across 19 countries on 5 continents. Leveraging strong in-house research, engineering, and development capabilities, Zijin maintains high operational efficiency and low costs in both acquisitions and operations. This enables the company to be an industry leader in value creation, underpinned by its philosophy of pursuing development for all and sustained by superior environmental, social, and governance performance. Zijin’s shares trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 2899) and the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE: 601899).