Two major projects in Tibet Autonomous Region, with a combined investment of approximately 6.36 billion yuan, have announced their preferred bidders, with core engineering subsidiaries of CHINA RAIL CONS (China Railway Construction Corporation Limited) leading the rankings. This signals the launch of a robust construction wave on the Tibetan Plateau, integrating traditional resource development and cutting-edge new energy initiatives.
In Lhünzhub County, Lhasa, the first-ranked bidder for the comprehensive development of the Jialapu Iron Ore Project—a large-scale mineral resource initiative—has been revealed. A consortium led by China Railway 19th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., in collaboration with China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Third Engineering Co., Ltd. and China Railway 16th Bureau Group Fifth Engineering Co., Ltd., topped the list with a bid of approximately 5.859 billion yuan.
This project, structured as an "EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract for mining systems," is exceptionally complex. It encompasses everything from the surface stripping of 30 million tons of ore to underground tunnel excavation spanning 50 kilometers, along with the construction of mining roads, processing plants, tailings storage facilities, and pipeline transportation systems. It represents a full-cycle modern mining operation from infrastructure to production.
China Railway 19th Bureau’s leadership role is no coincidence. The company is a top-tier player in China’s mining construction sector, particularly renowned for its expertise in tunnel excavation and mining development under challenging geological conditions. The participation of China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau and China Railway 16th Bureau further strengthens the consortium’s capabilities in large-scale structural engineering, tunneling, and complex civil works. This "national team" is tailor-made for tackling super-scale mining projects in Tibet’s extreme high-altitude environment.
The successful bid marks a critical step toward the large-scale, modernized development of Tibet’s mineral resources. Beyond generating substantial economic value, it will also refine China’s engineering teams’ capabilities in managing mega-projects under extreme conditions through world-class plateau mining construction.
Meanwhile, in Qüxü County, Lhasa, another forward-looking energy project has unveiled its preferred bidder. The top-ranked consortium for the Qüxü County Mobile Hydrogen-Oxygen Production and Utilization Project, led by China Railway Construction City Development Group Nanchang Construction Co., Ltd. and partnered with two specialized firms, submitted a bid of around 50.89 million yuan.
Though smaller in scale compared to the iron ore project, this initiative holds significant strategic importance. Its core involves constructing a hydrogen production line using hydroelectric-powered electrolysis, with an annual output of 2,300 tons of hydrogen and 18,400 tons of oxygen. The project employs advanced AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane) alkaline electrolyzer technology to produce "green hydrogen," a highly sought-after clean energy solution.
In Tibet, where hydropower and solar resources are abundant, electrolytic hydrogen production holds unique advantages. The project will utilize surplus clean electricity to produce zero-carbon green hydrogen, offering a practical model for Tibet’s energy transition and green industrial development.
China Railway Construction City Development Group, a subsidiary of CHINA RAIL CONS focused on urban construction and emerging sectors, leading this hydrogen project is symbolic. It underscores how traditional infrastructure giants like CHINA RAIL CONS are strategically expanding into frontier areas such as hydrogen energy infrastructure, positioning themselves for the future energy landscape.
These two projects, totaling 6.36 billion yuan, are not isolated events. They reflect CHINA RAIL CONS’s deepening strategic transformation and market presence in Tibet. Historically, the company and its predecessor, the Railway Corps, made their mark in Tibet through iconic projects like the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and Sichuan-Tibet Highway, serving as builders of critical transportation networks.
Now, with the Jialapu Iron Ore Project, CHINA RAIL CONS is evolving into a foundational player in Tibet’s modern industrial system. Leveraging its integrated engineering expertise, the company is directly involved in developing the region’s core resources, transforming infrastructure capabilities into drivers of industrial upgrading.
Through the Qüxü hydrogen project, CHINA RAIL CONS is positioning itself as a pioneer in future energy technologies, venturing into clean energy production infrastructure and securing a foothold in Tibet’s emerging hydrogen economy.
From constructing trans-plateau railways to excavating mineral treasures and now producing green hydrogen, CHINA RAIL CONS’s role in Tibet continues to expand and diversify.
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