Mining is a high-tech industry.
Innovation, especially technological innovation, is the core competitiveness of Zijin Mining. The slogan "Science and Technology Underpin Zijin’s Success" encapsulates the development journey of Zijin Mining over the past 30 years.
Zijin Mining possesses industry-leading expertise and rich experience in geological exploration and evaluation; mining technology; comprehensive recovery and utilization of low-grade and refractory resources; and environmental protection.
Zijin Mining has independently developed the Five-Pronged Mining Engineering Model, which integrates systematic engineering and mineral economics to guide project construction and operations. The model provides significant competitive advantages in investment and cost control, creating a path for green, low-carbon, efficient, and sustainable resource extraction.
The Zijinshan mine is the birthplace of Zijin Mining.
From the 1950s through the 1970s, three attempts at geological prospecting at Zijinshan yielded no discoveries. In the 1980s, Mr. Chen Jinghe, the founder of Zijin Mining, along with local geological exploration teams, finally discovered and measured the first large copper-gold deposit on the southeast coast of China after a decade of arduous exploration. This discovery won the National Science and Technology Progress Award in China.
In 1993, the Shanghang Zijin Mining Company was established to develop the Zijinshan mine, a low-grade gold-copper project. Despite limited resources in terms of funds, talent, and technology, five rounds of systematic management and technological innovation were implemented. The Zijinshan Gold Mine, once deemed as an "almost worthless" project, quickly became China’s largest and most cost-effective gold mine, with the lowest grades and strongest profitability. This transformation led to the mine’s official recognition as "China’s Largest Gold Mine". Meanwhile, by creatively combining bio-metallurgy with traditional flotation methods, Zijin successfully extracted minerals from low-grade copper ores, generating high profits from low-grade resources.
The development of the Zijinshan Gold-Copper Mine also fostered Zijin’s unique innovation philosophy, corporate culture, and the Five-Pronged Mining Engineering Model. The roots of Zijin Mining lie in the Zijinshan mine.
During the exploration and development of the Zijinshan gold-copper mine, a project with low-grade resources, innovations in engineering and technology were made. In the process, Zijin Mining developed the Five-Pronged Mining Engineering Model. This model holistically considers and manages the five key processes - geological exploration, mining, mineral processing, smelting, and environmental protection, based on the movement of ores. The approach is designed to maximize the economic and social benefits of mining projects.
Today, geological exploration has become more difficult and requires strong technical capabilities. Technological innovation is therefore the key to achieving breakthroughs in exploration. Zijin Mining has competitive advantages in the field, with unit exploration costs far below the global average.
In innovating geological exploration technology, Zijin focuses on the prospecting of deep-seated deposits and low-cost, efficient, and rapid evaluation. We emphasize efficiency and independent exploration efforts and have fostered a competence-based atmosphere of innovation, unleashing the initiative and creativity of our geologists. This approach will cement Zijin’s reputation as an innovator in geological exploration.
Zijin Mining has various independently developed exploration equipment, including the internationally advanced Sinian System, UAV AeroMagnetic System and digital geological management system ZJGIM. We have achieved significant results through the application of advanced detection and analysis technologies, such as three-dimensional induced polarization, high-precision three-component magnetic surveying, 3D mapping of alteration minerals based on short-wave infrared spectroscopy, and three-dimensional reconnaissance. Through independent exploration, we have made major discoveries at the Yixingzhai Mine in Shanxi and the Duobaoshan Copper Mine in Heilongjiang, China, and the Jama and Veliki Krivelj Mines in Serbia.
Zijin Mining has independent technology for all processes of mining projects, along with capabilities in research, engineering, execution and innovation.
With strong capabilities in developing and rolling out technologies, we are able to carry out systematic technological research and application to solve the technical problems facing our affiliated companies.
Zijin Mining focuses on developing key technologies needed by the mining industry, prioritizing the real-world application of our technological solutions to deliver better results. We have developed a range of eco-friendly mining technologies for projects situated at plateaus. Our research on the large-scale, efficient mining of deep-seated deposits has made significant progress. Across the world, we have developed a number of mines with difficult-to-extract resources, creating independent innovations and a greener and more efficient model of mining.
Zijin Mining was initially the developer of mines with low-grade and refractory ores. We have comparative advantages in the acquisition of such mines and in maintaining competitive costs.
We have made breakthroughs in technologies used for processing and smelting low-grade and refractory ores, achieving strong profitability. These include the integrated processes and equipment for mining, mineral processing and metallurgy at the Zijinshan Gold Mine, bio-metallurgical technology for low-grade copper sulfides, and key technologies for the efficient recovery of gold from refractory ores.
During our global expansion stage, we have focused on the development and application of new processing technologies for non-ferrous metals, such as copper, lithium, zinc, and metals used in the renewable energy industry. This has supported the development of several large and ultra-large copper, zinc, and lithium projects.
Zijin Mining also operates R&D centers focused on high-purity metals, material preparation, and high-efficiency equipment.
Intelligent technology is evolving rapidly, leading to unprecedented progress and transformation in human society, and providing the mining industry with greater opportunities for development and value creation.
In light of the trends of digitization, intelligent applications, and low-carbon development, Zijin Mining has been integrating information technology, and digital and intelligent technologies into our production and operations. We are transforming our operations by building independent and innovative global digital platforms and systems. Our efforts also include upgrading mining equipment and development methods, building more modern, intelligent mines, smart plants, and unmanned mines on plateaus. Additionally, we are developing more comprehensive and standardized information databases to reuse our data and unlock its value.
Zijin Mining places a strong emphasis on the training of mining talent.
In 2007, Zijin Mining partnered with Fuzhou University to establish the Zijin Mining School, Fuzhou University, creating a model of business-university collaboration in tertiary education.
The School’s origins date back to 1958, when Fuzhou University was founded. At that time, the Department of Mining and Metallurgy was one of the five engineering departments of the university. In 2021, the School was renamed the Zijin School of Geology and Mining after absorbing the Department of Geotechnical and Geological Engineering from another school within the university.
The School is committed to training high-caliber mining professionals and focuses on the education of full-time undergraduates and postgraduates. It has cooperative relations with several leading universities in the world.