Guizhou lawmakers focus on mineral resources

More efforts are expected from national legislators hailing from resource-rich Guizhou province to promote the development and utilization of mineral resources, with an emphasis on technological breakthroughs through deepened cooperation between businesses and institutions.

The goal is to make technological innovation a primary catalyst to accelerate the high-quality development of the mining industry and fortify the real economy, as part of Guizhou’s concerted efforts to promote new industrialization.

New industrialization, as mentioned in this year’s Government Work Report, requires efforts to leap further, with innovation being a key, so as to steadily foster new growth drivers and strengths.

Guizhou boasts abundant and diverse mineral resources, ranking in the top 10 nationally for 49 kinds of mineral reserves. In the city of Zunyi, over 60 types of mineral resources have been discovered, and the resource reserves of 49 of them have been verified.

Zunyi Mayor Huang Wei said the city will use digital exploration techniques to precisely identify mineral resources, support the restructuring of major mines, and promote the green transition of mining.

“It is essential to make tech breakthroughs in key areas and cultivate talent … to promote a more efficient and green mining industry,” he said.

Turning resource advantages into industrial strengths also requires efforts from enterprises. Hu Yongzhong, an NPC deputy and chairman of Guizhou Energy Group, said the company has stepped up efforts to strengthen cooperation with scientific research institutions and universities to improve its digitalized and green mass production capabilities.

Last year, the company invested about 1.05 billion yuan ($146 million) in research and development.

“We will continue our efforts in scientific R&D this year and smooth coordination between R&D and the application of scientific research results,” Hu said.

Song Bao’an, an NPC deputy and head of Guizhou University, underscored the institution’s extensive research experience in mineral resource exploration, mineral extraction and processing, and new material development.

“Going forward, Guizhou University will continue to work for breakthroughs in key basic research areas, boost application scenarios for major research results, and cultivate more professionals in the mining sector,” Song said.