Third round of mineral resources planning and preparation started

The Ministry of Land and Resources recently released the "Circular on Launching the Third Round of Mineral Resources Planning." With approval from the State Council, China is now beginning the process of drafting the third phase of its national mineral resources plan. This initiative aims to ensure a sustainable and strategic approach to managing the country’s natural resources in the coming years.

This new planning cycle comes at a crucial time for the mining sector. As the nation moves toward a more balanced and eco-friendly development model, it's essential to rethink how mineral resources are explored, extracted, protected, and used. The circular emphasizes the need for proactive planning, comprehensive strategies, and stronger international collaboration to enhance resource security and support economic growth. It also highlights the importance of aligning with broader goals such as ecological civilization and deepening reforms, which require updated policies and more efficient governance structures.

One of the key objectives of this new planning effort is to improve the overall capacity of resource support while promoting more efficient and sustainable use of minerals. The plan will focus on balancing development with conservation, encouraging innovation, and setting clear guidelines for exploration, exploitation, and environmental protection. Additionally, it will address the need for better spatial planning, resource allocation, and regulatory frameworks to ensure that mineral resources are managed responsibly and equitably.

At the national level, the planning will focus on strategic direction and policy formulation, including the development of a global resource strategy and the establishment of a list of critical minerals. At the provincial and municipal levels, the emphasis will be on implementing these national goals while tailoring them to local conditions and needs. The city and county-level plans will serve as the foundation for enforcement, ensuring that targets, spatial layouts, and access requirements are clearly defined and effectively implemented.

To support this process, the notice calls for thorough preparatory work, including detailed assessments of current resource utilization, analysis of future trends, optimization of resource distribution, and the development of a robust planning database. It also stresses the importance of improving technical standards and data management to provide a solid foundation for decision-making.

Regarding timelines, provinces are required to submit their planning proposals by the end of July 2024, complete the provincial planning outline by July 2025, finalize the national plan by June 2026, and complete all county-level planning by December 2026. The target period for the third round of planning spans from 2025 to 2030, with a vision extending to 2035. This long-term approach reflects the government's commitment to sustainable resource management and its role in supporting China's broader socio-economic development goals.