Green minerals cooperation expected to strengthen global supply chains

Deeper international cooperation in green minerals can strengthen global supply chains and bring greater benefits to resource-rich countries, officials and experts said, calling for closer trade, investment and technology ties.

"Closer industrial cooperation and better alignment of standards are needed to better connect resources, technology, capital and markets," said Chen Zhiyang, an official at the Ministry of Commerce.

Speaking at a recent forum during the 2026 China Mining Conference and Exhibition, Chen said China is willing to expand trade and investment cooperation to bring greater benefits to resource-rich countries and local communities.

The forum saw the launch of a self-regulation initiative on sustainable development in overseas mineral resources cooperation, jointly initiated by the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters, two other industry associations and nearly 30 companies.

Covering exploration, extraction, smelting, processing and recycling, the initiative encourages companies to incorporate sustainability into investment decisions, project development and supply chain management.

Jiang Hui, president of the chamber, said it would promote standards alignment, strengthen industry self-regulation and connect potential partners to deliver more concrete results from cooperation.

"Minerals cooperation should not stop at resource extraction and raw material exports," said Guinea-Bissau's Natural Resources Minister Julio Mamadu Balde.

Balde called for deeper cooperation with China in exploration technology, digital information systems, laboratory capacity and workforce training.

In addition, a green minerals operations center for the Hainan Free Trade Port was also unveiled at the forum.