Zijin Mining Chairman Zou Laichang: The Critical Foundational Position of Mining Is Being Recognized Anew

Source: Mining Voice

On the evening of March 20th, Zijin Mining officially released its 2025 performance report. The report shows that the company achieved operating revenue of 349.079 billion yuan in 2025, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year; net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company reached 51.777 billion yuan, a surge of 62% year-on-year, setting a record high in the company’s history, which is equivalent to the total net profit of the past two years. Both gold and copper production volumes rank first nationwide.

Zijin Mining’s new Chairman Zou Laichang wrote in the annual report that the global situation is complex and turbulent, with supply chains and industrial chains facing multiple risks and challenges. The fundamental position of mining has been re-recognized, and the disorder in the global governance system has driven gold prices sharply higher. Expectations of supply and demand imbalance have supported copper prices remaining high, while energy transition has spurred demand expansion for key metals like lithium.

He emphasized that Zijin Mining adheres to the principle of “resources first,” combining precise acquisitions with independent exploration and prospecting to form a rich portfolio of world-class mineral resources. Currently, the company holds total resources of over 4,600 tons of gold, about 1.1 million tons of copper, over 12 million tons of zinc (lead), and over 18 million tons of equivalent lithium carbonate, laying a solid foundation for sustainable development.

Behind this impressive performance report is strong support from “rising volume and prices.” As Zijin Mining’s core businesses, gold and copper, entered the “golden age” of the market in 2025.

Data shows that Zijin Mining’s mineral gold production in 2025 reached 90 tons, a significant increase of 23.5% year-on-year, ranking among the top global mining companies; mineral copper production continued for the third consecutive year to reach 1.09 million tons, exceeding the annual plan and up 2% year-on-year. Both production volumes rank first nationwide.

In terms of performance contribution, gold and copper, the two main products, contributed over 70% of Zijin Mining’s total revenue last year. Among them, gold sales accounted for 44.43% of operating revenue during the reporting period (net of offsets), and gross profit accounted for 40.89% of the group’s gross profit. Copper sales accounted for 27.62% of operating revenue (net of offsets), with gross profit making up 34.49% of the group’s gross profit.

In addition to the traditional “gold and copper” pillars, Zijin Mining’s lithium segment has already taken shape. To expand its lithium business, the company acquired Zangge Mining for over 13.7 billion yuan this year, marking the first acquisition in A-shares for 2025. As of the end of the reporting period, Zangge Mining’s stock price reached 241% of the acquisition price. During the period, Zijin Mining produced 25,500 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent.

Last September, Zijin Gold International Limited (ticker: 2259.HK), a subsidiary of Zijin Mining, also officially listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It issued 401 million shares at HKD 71.59 per share (including over-allotment options), raising approximately HKD 28.7 billion, setting records as the largest IPO in the global gold mining industry, the largest overseas IPO by a Chinese mining company, and the second-largest IPO worldwide in 2025.

Notably, after “China’s King of Gold” Chen Jinghe stepped down, Zijin Mining entered a new stage of development and officially launched a new round of global expansion.

Zou Laichang pointed out that Zijin Mining has added a new “production increase” dimension to its overall work strategy, fully leveraging current high metal prices to accelerate the conversion of resource advantages into high-efficiency economic and social benefits. The company aims to “exceed expectations” by completing and commissioning major projects with significant incremental impact, speeding up capacity releases for key mineral types, and cultivating a batch of new important growth poles.