Zijin Mining reported a surge in profit for 2025, as higher output and a strategic pivot towards energy-transition metals boosted earnings.
The Chinese miner said revenue rose 15 per cent year on year to $49.7bn, while net profit jumped 62 per cent to $7.4bn, driven by strong performances in gold and copper.
The results reflect a broader shift across the industry, as miners reposition to meet rising demand linked to decarbonisation and electrification. Zijin has stepped up investment in copper and lithium—key inputs for renewable energy systems and battery storage—while expanding its gold portfolio.
Gold output increased 23 per cent to 90 tonnes, supported in part by the acquisition of the Akyem Gold Mine and the Raygorodok mine in Kazakhstan. Copper production rose to 1.09mn tonnes, while new lithium projects in China and Argentina lifted output to 25,500 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, marking a shift to scale.
The company expects further gains in 2026, targeting 105 tonnes of gold and 1.2mn tonnes of copper, alongside a sharp increase in lithium output. It aims to rank among the world’s top three producers of copper and gold by 2028.
Alongside production growth, Zijin is investing in cleaner operations, with more than half of its energy consumption now sourced from renewables, as it moves to align with global net-zero targets.
Rising earnings have also translated into higher shareholder returns, with increased dividends and a re-rating of its shares following the listing of its overseas gold assets.
The performance underscores Zijin’s strategy of combining scale, cost efficiency and exposure to future-facing metals, as competition intensifies in the global mining sector.
