The CIMG is pleased to present these Research and White Papers on behalf of its members on issues surrounding mining in China.

The CIMG's Research Papers convey an overall sense of the member sentiment with the pace of implementing some of China's regulatory change.

From the perspective of the international mining community on the ground, China's performance on regulatory change remains a cornerstone in laying the foundation for business success for both international and domestic mining companies. The member companies remain bullish on the China market with many currently exploring or trading in and with China.

Clearly, this is a result of continued high economic growth rates and expanding market opportunities in an economy that more and more impacts overall global business conditions and metal markets around the world.

More Information
Please note that CIMG Member Sponsors are eligible to recieve one free copy of the each of the documents below. For non sponsoring companies this document is avaiable only by contacting the CIMG Secretariat at info@cimg.org.cn  for a nominal fee (see below for rates). CIMG members are able to recieve additional copies at a preferential rate (see below for rates). 

Contact us for more information on the CIMG's Research and White Papers please contact:

CIMG Secretariat
(86) 10 8522 6205
info@cimg.org.cn

Research and White Papers
CIMG's Research and White Papers listed in chronological order:

CIMG WHITE PAPER 2009
Five years have passed since the issuing of the CIMG’s first White Paper. Since that time all of China’s industrial sectors have transformed incredibly, however this is not the case for China’s exploration, mining and metals sector. Broadly speaking however, foreign
investment in China’s exploration, mining and metals sector has not been in sync with this
transformation. Currently, foreign participation in the industry is limited and one might say
insignificant in context of the overall number of participants in the sector. In recent times
there was one period between 2004 and 2006 when China opened its arms to foreign
investment resulting in a surge of foreign investment into the sector. As we approach 2010
many of these investments have not been realised with some being stalled or stopped
altogether. This has led to a feeling of uncertainty by some foreign enterprises in the sector and their shareholders towards China as a destination for exploration, mining and metals investment.

Please note that this document is avaiable only by contacting the CIMG Secretariat at info@cimg.org.cn and costs 2500RMB for non members and 1250RMB for members.

CIMG WHITE PAPER 2008
Post WTO the international community has witnessed numerous Chinese acquisitions abroad meeting resistance or failing, increasing levels of pollution and environmental degradation in China and an increase in macro economic issues such as resource and energy sufficiency rise in China. At the same time a number of barriers have been implemented slowing the flow of FDI into China's mining sector leaving foreign investors wary of China's investment climate.  The CIMG believes this is slowing the usage of best business practice into China's mining sector, not enabling domestic enterprises to engage abroad at a competitive international level and slowing the pace for China to reach a goal of resource security. The CIMG asks, "Is this a win-win outcome as outlined in the 11th 5-Year Plan?" and "Will this be conducive to sustainable harmonious growth in China?" The CIMG White Paper 2008 looks at these questions and provides reccomendations on how China can meet its resource needs in the future.

Please note that this document is avaiable only by contacting the CIMG Secretariat at info@cimg.org.cn and costs 1800RMB for non members and 900RMB for members.

CIMG WHITE PAPER 2007
Much has changed since the publication of the most recent CIMG White Paper in 2006. On the regulatory front, a new Labor Law has been passed, and the new Tax Law will be implemented in early 2008.  There are also changes in corporate governance and the industry is placing greater emphasis on worker safety, environmental protection and community relations.To a large extent, China’s resource requirements are continuing to drive world commodity prices.  China has now overtaken Australia in gold production and is likely to overtake South Africa to become the largest gold producer in the world. This is being achieved during a period of marked structural change in China’s mining industry.  The process of streamlining mining operations from 200,000 mines in 1996 down to today’s 100,000 would present numerous challenges in any jurisdiction.  The fact that this has occurred in a period of rapidly increasing demand is commendable. However, foreign and domestic investment in China’s mining industry is only a fraction of its potential.  Furthermore, most of the moderate foreign expenditure has been focused on exploration for gold.  There has been insufficient investment in the exploration of base metals.  There are many reasons and issues to explain why there is only limited investment base metal exploration,  Some of the key reasons include uncertainty of tenure, lack of clarity and uneven application of the law (in provincial areas for example) and problematic access to geological information just to name a few. These base metals exploration issues are also being experienced for those involved in gold exploration. These reasons create such uncertainty for long term projects that it causes investors to place their investment funds in other countries.

Please note that this document is avaiable only by contacting the CIMG Secretariat at info@cimg.org.cn and costs 800RMB for non members and 400RMB for members.

CIMG WHITE PAPER 2006
The CIMG, through its members, has collated this paper which illustrates some of the issues affecting international mining companies in China today. It has been close to thirty years since China opened its doors to foreign investors and spectacular progress has been made in some sectors such as the manufacturing industry. Unfortunately, such progress has yet to be achieved in the mining sector where there are as yet few large mining projects operated as Sino-foreign joint ventures, or as wholly owned enterprises. Notwithstanding the above, the CIMG commend the respective authorities for the efforts in reforming the current Mineral Law, but would like to stress that there are still a number of issues that restrain China from being a preferred destination for international mining investment.

Please note that this document is avaiable only by contacting the CIMG Secretariat at info@cimg.org.cn and costs 800RMB for non members and 400RMB for members.

CIMG CHINA COAL LAW REVIEW 2006
The CIMG through its members have considered the draft Law of the People's Republic of China on the Coal Industry (5th revised edition dated January 2006) prepared by the Working Group of Revision and Draft for “Coal Law”. These Members who have contributed to this paper were:

• Asia America Coal
• Anglo American Coal
• BHPBilliton
• Capital Law Associates
• ERM
• Junhe Law Firm
• Rio Tinto
• Rockwell International

The CIMG provided general comments and specific comments (where applicable), focussing on environmental protection and sustainability. Th China Coal Law Review was presented to the NDRC as part of their research to reform China's coal sector.

Please note that this document is avaiable only by contacting the CIMG Secretariat at info@cimg.org.cn and costs 800RMB for non members and 400RMB for members.

CIMG CHINA MINING LAW REVIEW 2004
This report was prepared at the instigation of 9 sponsoring International Mining companies that in 2004 were doing business in China. This report has been compiled by Capital Associates a law firm in Beijing on instructions from the Sponsoring Mining companies and in conjunction with detailed discussions with the various Chinese ministries concerned with the Mining Laws and regulations of China. At the time the Ministry of Land and Resources (MOLAR) was reviewing the Minerals Resources Law and related regulations (the Law) and is seeking feedback from various sources including the International mining community. This Report was specifically prepared to outline various issues International Mining Companies have with the Law and obstacles that exist for these companies conducting mining operations in China.

It is not a report that provides any background on China Mining activities of International Mining companies in China, however, it raises issues of doing business in the China mining industry and provides recommendations that the relevant Chinese ministries may wish to consider when reviewing the Mining law and regulations.

Please note that this document is avaiable only by contacting the CIMG Secretariat at info@cimg.org.cn and costs 800RMB for non members and 400RMB for members.