Zijin Mining is a mining group operating on a global scale. Specialising in the extraction of metals including copper, gold, zinc, lithium, silver and molybdenum, the company is a key player in the industry. Inside Mining explored Zijin Mining’s contribution to global economic growth and sustainable development. Report by Antonia Cole.
ASone of the world’s leading mining companies, Zijin Mining aims to set the standard for the industry. The company is evolving in terms of sustainability and technology, creating and adapting processes to optimise results. With research and engineering experts developing solutions in-house, Zijin Mining is at the forefront of mining innovation.
Ranked number one among global gold companies on the 2024 Forbes Global 2000 list, the company has established itself as a driving force in the industry. Zijin Mining is also ranked number five among metal miners and 267 overall on the list. On the Fortune Global 500 list, Zijin Mining is ranked 364 and on the Fortune China 500 list, the company is ranked 91. Zijin Mining has had a significant impact on a global scale, becoming one of the largest mining companies and a key driver of economic growth.
In 2024, the company generated a net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company of RMB 32 billion, which is an increase of 51.5% from the previous year. The market capitalisation rose by 25% to RMB 401.9 billion, ranking Zijin Mining as number 26 on the A-share market.
In terms of production, the company’s operation grew significantly in 2024. Zijin Mining grew copper production by 5.94% to 1.07 million tonnes and gold production by 5.04% to 73 tonnes. Expansion projects across multiple sites, including Buriticá Gold Mine in Colombia, Rosebel Gold Mine in Suriname and Longnan Zijin in China, drove growth in gold production. Additionally, the Sawaya’erdun Gold Mine coming into operation grew gold production even further.
Global operations
Zijin Mining’s origins date back to 1986, with the founding of its predecessor Shanghang Minerals Company. The company became Zijin Mining in the 1990s and achieved significant growth in China in the early 2000s with the acquisition of Guizhou Zijin and the Ashele Copper Mine in Xinjiang. Zijin Mining became a leading company in China and began to expand overseas and now has operations all over the world. From Asia, Europe and Africa to Oceania and South America, the company is active on almost every continent.
In recent years, Zijin Mining has invested in technological innovations, research and development and managerial expertise. The aim of this has been to improve cost management, creating efficient and effective processes. Last year, the company enhanced its global operations and management system. This involved strengthening strategic planning and coordination at its headquarters in Shanghang, China, whilst also moving its overseas operations department and the overseas operations centre to Belgrade, Serbia. This has increased the company’s capability to manage overseas assets.
The company has also discovered significant resources through exploration efforts and acquisitions. At the Julong Copper Mine, Zijin Mining found an additional 14.726 million tonnes of copper, making it the largest copper mine in China with a total of 25.88 million tonnes of copper. Another 3.65 million tonnes of copper was identified at the Tongshan Mine of the Duobaoshan Copper Project. Other significant discoveries took place at both the Malka Golaja copper-gold deposit in Serbia and the Manono Lithium Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company also acquired the La Arena Copper-Gold Mine in Peru and is in the process of acquiring a project at the Akyem Gold Mine in Ghana.
Low-carbon future
The sustainability journey of Zijin Mining began in 2009, when it released its first social responsibility report. Since then, the company has evolved to become a leading mining company focused on a low-carbon future. In 2023, Zijin Mining defined its three-year plan and development goals, highlighting environmental management as a key factor.
After updating its ESG rating at the beginning of 2024, the company was recognised by Refinitiv, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group. Zijin Mining ranked as the number one company for ESG out of 671 global metal and mining companies. As a company, Zijin Mining has evolved its operations to enhance performance whilst protecting people and the environment.
The company strives to be a responsible miner and has implemented ESG best practices into its global strategy. Zijin Mining has set ambitious carbon footprint goals for 2029 and is hoping to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve this, the company has integrated decarbonisation metrics into its performance assessments and has implemented environmental management guidelines into operations. Zijin Mining achieved a 1.46% year-on-year decrease in annual carbon intensity to 1.53 tonnes of emissions per RMB 10,000 of added value.
Additionally, the company has built eco-friendly mines that encourage and protect biodiversity. All operations have water monitoring systems and Zijin Mining has invested over RMB 1.37 billion in environmental initiatives. This includes growing more than 3.86 million plants and rehabilitating 6.22 million square metres of land.
Supporting growth
As well as protecting the environment, Zijin Mining is committed to supporting communities and its employees. In 2023, the company made a social contribution of RMB 56.2 billion and invested RMB 827 million into community programmes around the world. This year, the company donated RMB 30 million for earthquake relief efforts in Tingri County, Shigatse, Xizang. The donation will be used to fund emergency rescues, support rescue teams, assist affected residents and help rebuild the area.
This commitment to communities extends to the company’s workforce. Zijin Mining launched an employee stock ownership scheme and stock option incentive plan for senior executives. This enables employees
to directly benefit from the growth of the company, ensuring success is felt tangibly through every layer of operations.
Moving forward, the company has strategic plans to grow and expand its operations. At the beginning of 2025, Zijin Mining started the process of acquiring the controlling interest in Zangge Mining. This will
strengthen the company’s Chinese portfolio with full control over the Julong Copper Mine. Zijin Mining will continue to increase its production capacity and evolve its operations, whilst maintaining a focus on the environment and communities, solidifying its position as a leading mining company committed to a better future. n