Mining conference digs into industry's future

The 22nd China Mining Conference and Exhibition kicked off on Thursday in Tianjin.

Held by the China Mining Association through both online and offline channels, the conference aims to promote global communication and cooperation in the mining sector in the post-COVID-19 era.

Ling Yueming, vice-minister of natural resources, said at the opening ceremony China has made significant progresses in improving mining policies and geological prospecting in the past year. Although global mining is challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and saw shrinking demand, in the long-run mining will remain as a fundamental industry for economic development and the driving force for mining development is still strong, Ling said.

Countries and regions across the world should pay more attention to the important role of mining in regional economic development and actively promote the resumption of work and production, Ling said.

Joint efforts from the global community to bolster a better environment for technology innovation in the mining sector are necessary to improve the mechanism of global cooperation in research and development of smart manufacturing in the mining sector, he said, and to inject new vitality into the development of mining industry.

Ling also emphasized the need for further steps to ease market access, protect intellectual property fairly, promote a more convenient investment environment for global mining and build a global mining industry chain where participating countries and regions can complement each other with their strengths.

He added an alliance of mining cooperation for countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative is expected.

The 22nd China Mining Conference and Exhibition consists of seven conferences held from Oct 22 to Oct 24, and exhibitions from Oct 22 to Oct 29. Attendants include government officials and company representatives from 35 counties and regions.