Against the backdrop of high gold prices and rising global uncertainties, the gold industry is entering a new growth cycle. However, the underlying logic of competition is quietly shifting. The key determinant of a company's ability to weather market cycles is no longer just resource endowment and production expansion, but governance capabilities in safety, environmental protection, compliance, and community relations. At the 2025 China (Sanya) International Gold Market Annual Conference and Gold Industry Sustainable Development Summit held in Sanya, representatives from four World Gold Council member companies—China Gold, Shandong Gold, Zijin Mining, and Shandong Zhaojin—shared insights on sustainability and the industry's future, outlining a new competitive framework for gold mining.
**China Gold: Strategic Leadership and Compliance as Foundations for High-Quality Sustainable Development** He Xiaoqing, Vice Chairman and General Manager of China Gold Group Resources Co., Ltd., emphasized that sustainable development has become a core mission and inevitable choice for corporate reform in the new era. With tightening policy environments, resource constraints, and heightened safety and environmental governance requirements, gold companies must align their growth with China's modern industrial system and ecological civilization goals. Strengthening comprehensive risk management is critical to building a resilient foundation. He outlined three transformation pathways: 1. **Digitalization** to overcome efficiency bottlenecks 2. **Green transition** to achieve sustainability 3. **Industrial integration** to expand boundaries and convert traditional mining advantages into new competitive edges On compliance, he highlighted China Gold's evolution from "regulatory compliance" to "strategic compliance," embedding risk management into long-term vision. The company now extends operational controls to "value chain risk management," fostering responsible industrial ecosystems, while expanding compliance standards globally to enhance China's leadership in resource development and environmental governance.
**Shandong Gold: Green and Low-Carbon Leadership for High-Quality Growth** Xiao Yaomeng, Executive Director and Deputy General Manager of Shandong Gold Group, stressed that green development is now integral to high-quality growth, with green productivity being the new benchmark. For mining firms, low-carbon transformation is no longer optional but a prerequisite for long-term operational stability. Since 2010, Shandong Gold has championed "ecological mining" with initiatives like "protecting green mountains and clear waters." Post-2021, annual environmental investments grew over 20%, strengthening pollution control and risk prevention. The group implements holistic ecosystem management, creating "garden-style mines" with year-round greenery, while advancing carbon peaking strategies through emissions audits and action plans. Shandong Gold aims to become a globally leading mining group, driving industry-wide green transformation.
**Zijin Mining: ESG as a Passport for Global Operations** Zou Laichang, President of Zijin Mining Group, asserted that ESG is now a decisive factor for global recognition in mining. Strong ESG performance builds competitive resilience and enables supply chain collaboration, enhancing China’s responsible corporate image worldwide. With investors and rating agencies prioritizing ESG, Zijin established a top-down governance framework: - A Board-level **Strategy and Sustainability (ESG) Committee** - An operational **ESG Management Committee** The company adheres to international standards, undergoes third-party audits, and maintains stakeholder engagement to convert ESG principles into verifiable governance capabilities, reducing operational risks and cost premiums.
**Shandong Zhaojin: Responsible Mining Principles for Sustainable Ecosystems** Luan Wenjing, Deputy General Manager of Shandong Zhaojin Group, noted the industry’s shift from "shallow reserves" to "deep mining challenges." While resource depth poses physical challenges, automation and intelligent mining offer solutions. Safety, environmental stewardship, and human-centric approaches remain non-negotiable. Globally, adherence to the **Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMPs)**—promoted by the World Gold Council—serves as both an industry "code of conduct" and a bridge for Chinese firms to participate in global governance, demonstrating China’s commitment as a responsible mining leader.
**Conclusion** These four industry leaders demonstrate a clear trend: gold mining competition is transitioning from scale-and-resource battles to governance-and-resilience contests. As compliance, sustainability, safety, and responsibility become embedded in strategy and operations, the industry’s "moat" is being redefined for a new era.
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