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Introduction
Minerals sector has been a key component of PECC’s work program over many years. Its participants form one of PECC’s strongest and most active networks.
The minerals sector remains a key part of the regional economy. Both consuming and producing economies have a high stake in a stable market and an investment climate conducive to the long-term character of mining. As well as economic factors, local community-based interests and environmental factors affect this investment climate and the benefits derived from mining.
Mineral sector has been playing an important role pushing forward China’s national economy and social development. China’s mining industry not only supports the rapid growth of the Chinese economy, but is also making great contribution to and exerting impact on the current development of the global mining industry. This has drawn tremendous attention from the world. With great market potential, the prospect of China’s mining industry is very broad. From Jan. to Nov. 2004, China total import and export of mineral and related products exceeded US$215. 544 billion.
Shanxi’s proven coal reserves consist of over 120 categories, accounting for one-third of China's total. As the
biggest leading coal producer in China, Shanxi produced 493 million tons of coal in 2004, accounting for 25.2 percent of China's total output and produced 70% of coal –based commercial products. The coal industry generates half of the province's total revenue. Statistics show that the total export of the province's coal industry was 121.8 million tons, with 0.6 billion US dollars in the year 2004. Shanxi’s gross domestic product reached RMB302.1 billion Yuan in 2004, exceeding the average per capita national level. Shanxi alone generated 170 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity, of which, 25 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) were supplied to the other parts of the country in 2004. The coal mining industry of Shanxi is expected to team up with power and other energy sectors to transform coal into cleaner, more economical fuel such as gasoline and methanol.
In 1994, China PECC hosted the Seventh PECC Mineral and Energy Forum General Meeting (MEF 7).
After MEF was restructured, PECC held two major meetings, namely, the 1st Mineral Network Meeting in Noumea, New Caledonia in 2002 and the
2nd Mineral Network Meeting in Brisbane, Australia in 2003. The topic for the Noumea meeting was “ Community Integration and Environmental Issues in Mining: Charting a Course for Sustainable Development ” and the topic for the Brisbane meeting was “Community Integration in Mining and Mine Site Rehabilitation” , which dealt with environmental issues and the themes of community engagement and community development .
Following the PECC Minerals Network meetings, China PECC, along with PECC Community Building Forum, is organizing the third PECC Minerals Network Meeting to be held in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province of China on Sept 9-11, 2005. The Meeting will take place at Jing Ci Hotel, Taiyuan and will be followed by a field tour to some local mining sites.
The theme of this meeting is “Mining in Economy: Development and Environmental Protection.” Some important issues will be addressed and in-depth discussions will be carried out. Representatives from PECC community in the sector of mining industries are expected to attend and make presentations on development in the mining industry. The event will be expected to serve as a platform where participants may exchange and share views and find insights and perspectives on their respective investment policies, experiences and lessons learned in their operation and management of the mining industry. In addition, activities aimed at seeking economic cooperation and potential projects might be carried out for the benefit of domestic and overseas participants.
Tentative talking points:
1: The capacity of governments and engagement of communities
2: Rehabilitation of orphan mines as well as percolation of mining and safety issues related to water table
3: Specific issues related to mining companies, especially waste of energy and low efficiency, which China and some other developing countries are facing.
4: International cooperation between China and partners in the region in coking coal and mining and environment protection.
5: Opportunities and challenges of steel industry
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