1 Moon 23 On [date], the Ministry of Natural Resources held a video conference on the preparation of the third round of mineral resource planning, re-mobilizing and re-deploying efforts for the new round of planning work. At the meeting, Wang Min, member of the Party Group and Vice Minister of the Ministry, emphasized that the key priorities for accelerating and effectively carrying out the preparation of the third round of mineral resource planning include perfecting the mechanism for total-volume regulation of development and utilization, optimizing the spatial layout of mineral resource development and utilization, formulating differentiated management policies, and establishing seven major platforms for implementing the plan.

　　Since last year 4 Since the launch of the monthly initiative, the preparation of the third round of mineral resource plans has been progressing smoothly across various regions. However, overall, there are still some issues, including uneven progress, insufficient awareness in certain provinces, inadequate organizational efforts, and failure to implement prescribed measures effectively. In response to these challenges, Wang Min pointed out that we must deeply understand the new situation and new requirements facing planning work. The new round of plans should implement the nation’s resource security strategy and substantially enhance our capacity to ensure resource supply; comply with the overarching requirements for ecological civilization construction and promote coordinated development between resource exploitation and environmental protection; put into practice the priority strategy of conservation and genuinely improve resource-use efficiency; carry out the comprehensive deepening reform agenda and further strengthen the guiding, policy-oriented, and binding nature of the plans; and implement policies aimed at benefiting the people through resource management, thereby effectively serving and improving people’s livelihoods. He emphasized that the plans must become an important platform and key tool for fulfilling the newly defined responsibilities in land and resource management.

　　The meeting clarified the preparation of the third round of mineral resource planning. 4 Key content:

　　First, we will refine the mechanism for overall control of resource development and utilization. Based on national industrial policies, we will adopt differentiated and categorized regulatory approaches to rationally manage the total volume of resource extraction and ensure the steady and healthy operation of the mining economy. For resources such as coal that suffer from overcapacity, we will impose strict controls. For traditional advantageous minerals like rare earths and tungsten, as well as strategic emerging minerals, we will implement total-volume controls on extraction. For domestically scarce minerals such as oil, iron, copper, and aluminum, we will introduce incentive-based exploration and extraction policies and measures.

　　Second, optimize the layout for the development and utilization of mineral resources, with a particular focus on: 3 Hierarchical zoning layout. Develop strategic guiding layouts and identify a number of mineral resource exploration and development bases, thereby forming, in spatial terms, key strategic core areas that ensure national resource security. Implement targeted work layouts by delineating a series of priority zones, including key survey and evaluation areas and key exploration areas. Establish management function zones by designating national planned mining areas, mining areas of significant value to the national economy, and key mining areas; demarcate areas where exploration and mining are prohibited or restricted; and define exploration and mining planning blocks.

　　Third, we need to formulate differentiated policies for different mineral types and regionally differentiated policies. The national plan should study and develop a national list of strategic mineral resources, while provincial plans should identify key minerals for planning and clearly define the primary focus areas and entry requirements for exploration and development of various mineral types. Each province (city or autonomous region) should, based on its specific circumstances, clearly define its regional mineral resource management policy guidelines and entry conditions.

　　Fourth, we will focus on building seven major implementation platforms: a resource security platform centered on the strategic initiative to achieve breakthroughs in mineral exploration; an ecological civilization development platform themed around green mining; and a geological and mineral science and technology innovation platform that integrates industry, academia, research, and application.

　　Wang Min emphasized that during the planning process, special attention should be paid to properly addressing... 6 Regarding key issues: Planning and preparation must be closely integrated with regional development; resource development and environmental protection should be coordinated and balanced; the mining rights allocation plan must be effectively integrated with mineral resource planning; efforts should focus on resolving conflicts and overlaps in mining rights; the management of sand, gravel, and clay mineral resources must be strictly standardized; and the integrated management of aboveground and underground resources, as well as land use and mineral resource utilization, should be actively promoted. He pointed out that the planning preparation process is time-constrained, involves heavy tasks, and demands high standards. All localities should adopt strong measures to ensure that the planning work is completed on time and to the required quality. In accordance with the unified deployment of the Ministry, this year... 7 The province needs to complete the preparation of the provincial planning outline by next year. 6 The approval and publication of the national-level plans, as well as the review of provincial-level plans by the relevant ministry, were completed last month. By the end of next year, the preparation and approval of plans at all levels will be fully completed. For regions that have not yet completed their planning work, we will hold talks with their authorities or temporarily suspend the acceptance of applications for exploration and mining rights.

　　Relevant officials and personnel from the relevant departments and directly affiliated units of the Ministry attended the meeting at the main venue. Leaders in charge of mineral resource planning from the land and resources authorities of each province (autonomous region, municipality), as well as from the Land and Resources Bureau of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, together with responsible officials from related divisions and other relevant personnel, and also some leading officials and responsible personnel from the land and resources authorities of municipal and county governments, participated in the meeting at sub-venues.