This website reports: December 31, 2014 The Ministry of Natural Resources has issued the “Notice on the Minimum Indicators for the Rational Development and Utilization of ‘Three Rates’ for Mineral Resources such as Manganese, Chromium, Bauxite, Tungsten, Molybdenum, Sulfide Iron Ore, Graphite, and Asbestos (Trial)” ( 2013 No. 31 of the year ). The said The “Three Rates” refer to the mining recovery rate, ore dressing recovery rate, and comprehensive utilization rate for the aforementioned mineral types. They are the primary indicators used to evaluate the effectiveness of mineral resource exploration and development by the corresponding mining enterprises. This release... The one being piloted is The minimum indicator requirements comprise three components: the “three-ratio” indicator requirements, supervisory management, and indicator definitions and calculation methods.

This is from the Ministry of Land and Resources, December 30, 2013. Following the issuance on [date] of the “Notice on the Minimum Indicators for the Rational Development and Utilization of ‘Three Rates’ for Mineral Resources such as Iron, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Rare Earths, Potash Salts, and Fluorite (Trial)” (No. 21 of 2013), another set of requirements has been released for China’s key mineral commodities. Minimum indicator requirements for the rational development and utilization of mineral resources—“three rates.”

In terms of supervision and management, the announcement specifies the following: (1) These indicator requirements serve as an important basis for the land and resources authorities to supervise and manage mining enterprises engaged in the exploration and utilization of mineral resources of the corresponding mineral types in a rational and efficient manner. (2) They also serve as the basis for preparing and reviewing mining plans and designs for the development and utilization of mineral resources. For newly established or expanded mines, the “three rates” indicators must meet the requirements set forth in these indicators. (3) Existing operating mines shall meet the requirements stipulated in these indicators within two years from the date of publication of these requirements. For mines that fail to meet these requirements, the provincial land and resources authorities shall organize and urge them to make rectifications within a specified time limit. Mines that still fail to meet the standards after rectification will not pass the annual inspection for the development and utilization of mineral resources. (4) The provincial land and resources authorities may, based on the characteristics of lead-zinc mineral resources within their administrative regions, establish indicator requirements that are no lower than those set forth in this standard. They shall be responsible for supervising and managing the implementation of these indicator requirements by mining enterprises within their jurisdiction, conducting unannounced spot checks and inspections on an irregular basis, and regularly publishing lists of lead-zinc mining enterprises that comply with and do not comply with these requirements, thereby enabling public oversight and dynamic management.

To facilitate accurate understanding and implementation, Part III of the announcement (Definitions and Calculation Methods for Indicators) provides definitions and clarifications for the specific “three rates” associated with the aforementioned mineral types. At the same time, it lists specific calculation methods (formulas) based on the various scenarios described above.