China will tighten controls on new copper and alumina projects to limit the expansion of mining capacity in 2026-2030.
Regional authorities need to strengthen feasibility studies for large projects in these sectors and issue permits in accordance with national industrial policies, the National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC) said in a statement. The PRC.
The regulator notes that these industries are important for their economic and military potential, but their development must take into account “differences in the industrial base and resource endowment of regions, as well as environmental factors.”
The Chinese government will promote the merger of large mining companies and the restructuring of their activities in order to increase concentration in the industry, as well as support foreign investment in the mining sector. This is stated in a statement by the NDRC.
China is the world's largest producer of copper and alumina. The country's authorities have repeatedly emphasized the risks associated with excess mining capacity and uncontrolled investments in these areas.
The country's production of refined copper in January-November 2025 increased by 9.8% compared to the same period last year, reaching 13.3 million tons, which could reach a record level this year. China's alumina production reached 84.7 million tonnes over the period and is also likely to reach a record level in 2025.
Beijing will also continue to regulate steel production in 2026-2030 and limit new capacity additions, the NDRC said. Over the 11 months of this year, steel production in China decreased by 4%, and for the first time in six years the annual figure may be below 1 billion tons.
