This year On March 14, the General Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources issued a notice soliciting comments on the “Interim Provisions on the Professional Qualification System for Mining Rights Appraisers (Draft for Comments)” and the “Implementation Measures for the Professional Qualification Examination for Mining Rights Appraisers (Draft for Comments)” (Natural Resources Office Letter [2022] No. 428). Due to the wording of the title, it may seem at first glance that the focus is solely on “mining rights appraisal”; however, in reality, the document covers two major areas: “mineral resource exploration and physical quantity estimation” and “valuation of mining rights and related interests.” The former represents a completely new system, while the latter has already been in place for twenty years. Therefore, for readers who are not yet familiar with these topics, the author will provide a comprehensive overview in a question-and-answer format.

1. Have the qualifications for mineral reserve appraisers and mining rights appraisers been abolished? If so, when will they be reinstated? And what would reinstatement entail?

The former Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Land and Resources established [something] in 1999 and 2000, respectively. The qualification system for mineral reserve appraisers and mining rights appraisers is classified as an entry-based system. In 2016, the qualification for mineral reserve appraisers was abolished; in 2014, the qualification for mining rights appraisers was reclassified from an entry-based system to a competency-based system; and in 2017, the qualification for mining rights appraisers was removed from the National Catalogue of Professional Qualifications. Following approval at a State Council Executive Meeting, the qualification for mining rights appraisers was reinstated in 2021 as a competency-based professional qualification and once again included in the National Catalogue of Professional Qualifications. This latest reinstatement ostensibly merges the former roles of mineral reserve appraiser and mining rights appraiser in the mining sector; however, in essence, it shifts the scope of the merged role—from “reserve appraisal” to— “ Mineral Resource Exploration and Physical Quantity Estimation “This restoration means that the state will implement a professional qualification system for those previously engaged in geological exploration and geological report preparation. Specifically, practitioners must pass the nationally unified professional qualification examination and obtain the corresponding qualification before they can practice after completing the registration procedures.”

2. What are the requirements for applying to take the professional qualification examination for mining rights appraisers? When is this year’s exam scheduled? Which subjects are included?

Article 11 of the “Interim Provisions on the Professional Qualification System for Mining Rights Appraisers (Draft for Comments)” stipulates: The requirements for applying to take the Professional Qualification Examination for Mining Rights Appraisers are: a bachelor’s or associate’s degree from a higher education institution, and relevant work experience. According to the “…” published by the China National Personnel Examination Website, 2022 Annual Work Plan for Professional and Technical Personnel Qualification Examinations The 2022 examination for mining rights appraisers will be held from October 22 to 23. A total of three subjects are scheduled: “Professional Competence in Geology and Mining Engineering for Mining Rights Appraisal,” “Professional Competence in Economics and Law for Mining Rights Appraisal,” and “Practical Skills and Case Studies in Mining Rights Appraisal.”

3. What are the core components of the professional qualification system?

According to Interim Provisions on the Professional Qualification System for Mining Rights Appraisers (Draft for Comments) Core components of the professional qualification system: (1) Qualification classification. The professional qualifications for mining rights appraisers are divided into three levels: Assistant Mining Rights Appraiser, Mining Rights Appraiser, and Senior Mining Rights Appraiser. The Assistant Mining Rights Appraiser and Mining Rights Appraiser qualifications are assessed through a unified examination. (2) Professional specialization. The specializations include exploration and physical quantity estimation of solid mineral resources, exploration and physical quantity estimation of oil and gas mineral resources, exploration and physical quantity estimation of water and gas mineral resources, and valuation of mining rights. Among these, the first three fall under the category of mineral resource exploration and physical quantity estimation. (3) Division of administrative and industry management authorities. The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for formulating policies related to the professional qualification system for mining rights appraisers and provides guidance, supervision, and inspection on the implementation of this system. The China Mining Rights Appraiser Association specifically undertakes the assessment and management of mining rights appraiser professional qualifications. (4) Handling of previously obtained relevant qualifications. Those who have obtained the Certificate of Practice for Mining Rights Appraisers, the Certificate of Assistant Mining Rights Appraiser Qualification, or the Certificate of Mining Rights Appraiser Qualification shall remain valid; their registered specialty will be Mining Rights Valuation. Those who have obtained the Certificate of Practice for Mineral Reserve Appraisers may register their specialty as either Exploration and Physical Quantity Estimation of Solid Mineral Resources or Exploration and Physical Quantity Estimation of Oil and Gas Mineral Resources. For exploration and physical quantity estimation of water and gas mineral resources, candidates must pass a specific examination to obtain the corresponding specialized qualification.

4. This year, the geologist launched by the China Mining Association, and What are the differences among mining rights appraisers?

First, their legal effectiveness differs: geologists, based on industry self-regulation, are voluntarily recommended; mining rights appraisers, by contrast, operate under a state-mandated system— National Vocational Qualification Certification System First, it has mandatory evaluation requirements and is governed by the “Asset Valuation Law.” Second, the two professions differ in their respective specialized fields. Geologists are involved exclusively in geological matters, whereas mining rights appraisers cover a wide range of mining-related disciplines, including underground mining and beneficiation, economics, and law. Third, the qualification thresholds differ: geologists are required to hold senior professional titles, while mining rights appraisers must possess a higher education degree in a relevant field along with relevant work experience. Fourth, there are different practice regulations currently in place. China Mining Association In the geologist system, clear practice guidelines have not yet been proposed. The China Association of Mineral Rights Appraisers has established a system of practice rules that embodies the “competent person system” for those engaged in mineral resource exploration and physical quantity estimation.

5. What is the competency-based personnel system? Why is it necessary to implement such a system?

The Competent Person System is an institutional arrangement adopted by international capital markets to standardize the disclosure of mineral resource reserve information. It is an industry-recognized system design that places primary emphasis on individual accountability. At its core, the system requires professionals who prepare mineral resource reserve reports and those who use these reports for disclosure purposes—under the strict adherence to and enforcement of professional ethics and codes of conduct—to possess both the requisite professional competence and relevant practical experience. Their signature and confirmation of the document signify their full responsibility for their professional conduct and work outcomes, as well as their willingness to assume lifelong legal liability.

There are two main reasons for implementing the competency-based system: first, to benefit our country... Joining the international CRIRSCO organization; second, to build a capital market service system for China’s mining sector—particularly one that provides third-party services tailored to the primary exploration (also known as risk exploration) segment of the commercial geological exploration market.

6. The international CRIRSCO organization is... What kind of organization is it? Why is China seeking to join this organization? What are the requirements for applying to join this organization? What is the current status of the process?

“ C R I R S C O is “ Mineral reserves quantity International Reporting standards Committee member will English abbreviation. The organization is international Mine Industry and Metallurgy Board of Directors Next belong to of the One one Specialized Responsibility Commission Employee will ， This committee is by Entire ball Main To want Mine Industry country Home or Earth district of the country Home (region) ) Substitute International Standard Composed of Table Institutions Standardization Group Weaving. The organization focuses on Yu For countries to make Set Reserve Report Announcement Rules Time to mention For unified use of the Standard template (based on JORC). This Class Rule Master To want Applicable At each country Involved in mining Certificate Public reports required by capital markets, such as securities exchanges, and the corresponding... Mine Business Trust Breath of the wind Dew. The publicly reported forms include exploration results corresponding to different stages across the entire mining industry chain. fruit 、 Mineral Assets Source quantity and Mine Stone reserves. Currently, the organization has 16 members, including countries and regions such as Australia, Canada, Chile, the European Union, Russia, South Africa, the United States, Brazil, and Mongolia.

To further open up China’s mining sector, integrate it into the international mining capital market, and facilitate overseas mining investments and cooperation, it is necessary for China to join the ... The CRIRSCO organization, known as the “WTO of the mining industry,” has three basic requirements for applicant countries: an industry organization, a system of professional practice rules, and competent individuals (in English, “…”). competent person ”, previously translated domestically as “Eligible Person”). In 2015, the former Ministry of Land and Resources participated in the CRIRSCO Annual Conference as an observer and organized related research activities. In June 2018, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs designated the China Association of Mineral Rights Appraisers as the Chinese-side working body for joining CRIRSCO. With the approval of the Ministry of Natural Resources, in September 2020, the Association formally submitted to CRIRSCO the document titled “China Association of Mineral Rights Appraisers’ Application for Membership.” Mineral reserves quantity International Report Letter of Application to the Standards Committee; currently, the multilateral and bilateral mutual recognition documents among the organization’s members are ready for signing. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, China’s instrument of ratification for joining the organization has not yet been formally signed.