● Build a science and technology innovation system for energy that is aligned with the goals of peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.

　　According to a report on the website of the Ministry of Science and Technology on August 18, the Ministry of Science and Technology and eight other departments recently jointly issued the "Implementation Plan for Science and Technology Support to Achieve Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality (2022-2030)." Key mining-related content includes: fully leveraging the role of national strategic scientific and technological forces and various innovation entities, deeply promoting cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaborative innovation and integration, and building an energy technology innovation system that aligns with the goals of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Additionally, efforts will be made to develop geothermal power generation and provide technological support for the grid connection and consumption of new energy sources.

　 　● Zijin Mining significantly boosted its production capacity for copper, gold, and other minerals in the first half of the year.

　　According to a report by China Net Finance on August 13, Zijin Mining recently released its 2022 semiannual report. In the first half of the year, the company achieved operating revenue of 132.458 billion yuan, an increase of 20.57% year-on-year; net profit attributable to shareholders reached 12.63 billion yuan, up 89.95% year-on-year; and net profit attributable to shareholders after deducting non-recurring items came in at 12.024 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 96.71%. In the first half of the year, Zijin Mining significantly boosted its production capacity for key minerals such as copper and gold, producing 410,000 tons of copper, 27 tons of gold, 220,000 tons of zinc (and lead), and 184 tons of silver. Among these, copper and gold production increased by 70.47% and 22.79%, respectively, year-on-year.

● In the first half of the year, global supplies of primary aluminum, copper, nickel, and other metals were all in short supply.

　　According to a report released recently by the World Bureau of Metal Statistics (WBMS), as reported on August 18 on the WBMS website, from January to June this year, global markets for primary aluminum, copper, and nickel all experienced supply shortages. Specifically, the global primary aluminum market faced a supply shortage of 895,000 tons, compared to a full-year shortage of 1.844 million tons in 2021; the global copper market had a supply shortage of 341,000 tons, while the full-year shortage in 2021 was 283,000 tons; the global nickel market saw a supply shortage of 49,800 tons, whereas the full-year shortage in 2021 was 146,800 tons; and the global zinc market experienced a supply surplus of 168,000 tons, compared to a full-year shortage of 111,800 tons in 2021.

　　 ●The Chilean government introduces new policies to attract foreign investors to develop lithium products.

　　According to a Reuters report on August 15, the Chilean government recently announced that it will issue a new call for companies interested in developing value-added lithium products. The country plans to establish an industrial-scale lithium production sector within its borders. In a statement, Chile’s government agency CORFO said that, as of now, companies with proven experience and strong technical and financial capabilities will be eligible to apply for carbonate and lithium hydroxide produced by SQM Salar S.A. at preferential prices, ensuring supply through 2030. These preferential prices will correspond to the weighted average FOB (Free On Board) price—based on 20% of SQM Salar S.A.’s export volume—that has been the lowest over the past six months.