<\/p>\n
\nMaggie Huang: In the next seven years, we plan to invest four to five billion dollars, and by 2030 to reach the annual production of half a million tons of copper, which would make Serbia the largest producer of copper in Europe. All this will be accompanied by the development of the use of solar energy, more efficient mining equipment, and the highest ecological standards. \u2013 The Director of the Office for Overseas Operations of the Zijin Mining Group in Belgrade said that Zijin has so far invested four and a half billion dollars in the acquisition and development of two projects in Serbia, which has significantly improved the position of our country in the European mining industry<\/strong><\/p>\n \nBELGRADE<\/strong>. \u2013 In the organization of the Institute for International Politics and Economy and the Institute for European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the \u201cDialogues on China\u201d conference was held in Belgrade (on October 10 and 11). The largest scientific conference about China in Europe was opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko \u0110uri\u0107<\/strong>, and the Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade, Li Ming<\/strong>, who together conveyed a message that, by promoting an open debate on contemporary geopolitical challenges, Serbia remains a meeting place between East and West. At the two-day conference, which brought together prominent experts, diplomats and scientists from 27 countries around the world, representatives of two of Zijin\u2019s companies had a remarkable presentation and panel discussion.<\/p>\n Relations between China and Serbia could become a model of international relations in the new era<\/strong><\/p>\n \nThe topics of this conference cover many aspects of China\u2019s foreign relations, with rich content and broad vision. I believe that it will play a key role in helping Serbia and European academic circles to better understand China, said Ambassador Li Ming, and praised the Chinese companies that operate in Serbia and contribute to the improvement of bilateral relations.<\/p>\n \n\u2013 Today, the world is going through profound changes and human society is facing complex challenges. Faced with a global landscape in which change and chaos are intertwined, China is committed to world peace, stability, and progress. It strives for friendship and cooperation with other countries based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence and promotes the building of relations between major countries characterized by peaceful coexistence, general stability, and balanced development. Serbia occupies a special position in China\u2019s foreign relations. The two countries have similar ideas, a common mind, and a solid foundation of iron friendship. In May of this year, President Xi Jinping\u2019s visit to Serbia was a complete success. Serbia became the first European country to build a common future commune with China, which fully demonstrated that Chinese-Serbian relations are of a strategic, special nature and at a high level. China is willing to work with Serbia to further implement the important results of President Xi Jinping\u2019s visit and the important consensus reached by the heads of the two countries, so that the traditional friendship of the two countries shines with a new glow and promotes China. The relations between China and Serbia could become a model of international relations in the new era \u2013 said Chinese Ambassador Li Ming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \nSerbia Zijin Copper and Serbia Zijin Mining presented the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and referred to key results in the fields of sustainable development, environmental protection, and improvement of local communities. On the results of the cooperation established at the end of 2018 with Serbia, the Director of the Office for Overseas Operations of the Zijin Mining Group in Belgrade, Maggie Huang<\/strong>, spoke at a special panel discussion, and the CSR reports of two of Zijin\u2019s companies were presented to the public by the General Manager of the CSR Department in Serbia Zijin Copper Zhang Yicheng<\/strong> and Deputy General Manager of Serbia Zijin Mining Yang Yuankun<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \nPointing out that Zijin Mining Group, which operates in 16 countries around the world, has two large mining investment projects in Serbia \u2013 Zijin Copper, formerly RTB Bor and Zijin Mining with the mine \u010cukaru Peki, the Director of the Office for Overseas Operations of Zijin Mining Group in Belgrade, said that the Company considers Serbia extremely important for business operations, and the proof is that the business center of the entire group was relocated to Belgrade last year.<\/p>\n \n\u2013 Since 2018, Zijin has invested four and a half billion dollars in the acquisition and development of these projects, which significantly improved Serbia\u2019s position in the European mining industry. Today, Serbia \u201cholds\u201d 18 percent of European copper production and it is second on the list of the largest producers of this metal on the old continent<\/strong> \u2013 said Maggie Huang.<\/p>\n \nShe added that more than 2.89 billion dollars have been invested so far in technological improvement and environmental management in the Smelter and copper mines in Bor, turning them into \u201cgreen mines\u201d that meet European standards. She emphasized that sulfur dioxide emissions have been reduced and that air quality has significantly improved.<\/p>\n \n\u2013According to official data, in 2023 the average concentration of sulfur dioxide at the measuring stations around the Smelter was only 10.6% of the established air quality limit, which represents a reduction of over 50% compared to the levels recorded before Zijin\u2019s arrival. The number of days when sulfur dioxide exceeded regulatory limits dropped from 156 days in 2014 to zero \u2013 in 2024!<\/strong><\/p>\n \nThe Director of the Office for Overseas Operations of Zijin Mining Group in Belgrade underlined that the Company has invested over 340 million US dollars in environmental protection, recultivated more than 4.33 million square meters of land, and planted 857 thousand trees in the effort to help the restoration of the ecosystem.<\/p>\n \n\u2013 Investments continue, so in the next seven years we plan to invest four to five billion dollars and by 2030 reach the annual production of half a million tons of copper, which would make Serbia the largest producer of copper in Europe. All this will be accompanied by the development of the use of solar energy, more efficient mining equipment, and the highest ecological standards<\/strong> \u2013 concluded Maggie Huang.<\/p>\n \nThe General Manager for CSR in Serbia Zijin Copper Zhang Yicheng emphasized that the Company has become the driving force of the economic development of the entire Bor District in the past five years.<\/p>\n Serbia remains committed to strengthening economic cooperation with China<\/strong><\/p>\n \nThe Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Government of Serbia, Marko \u0110uri\u0107, said at the conference that the value of Serbia\u2019s exports to China reached 6.6 billion dollars and emphasized that our country strongly supports the initiative \u201cBelt and Road\u201d. With the message that Serbia maintains a neutral position and friendly relations with all countries, \u0110uri\u0107 underlined that Serbia is the first European country to build strong relations and strategic partnership with China.<\/p>\n \n\u0110uri\u0107 reminded of the exceptional friendly relations between the two presidents, as well as all the advantages of cooperation within the framework of the Free Trade Agreement, which was signed during this year\u2019s visit of the Chinese president to Serbia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\u2013Last year, the joint efforts of Serbian and Chinese workers produced more than 100,000 tons of copper and two and a half tons of gold, worth 932 million dollars. The Company made a total social contribution to the local community during that period of 845 million dollars, hired more than three thousand new workers, and created more than nine thousand jobs. The average monthly net salary of employees in Serbia Zijin Copper is 144 thousand dinars, which is 87 percent more than in 2018, when Zijin came to Serbia. Investments in environmental protection during that period, in the amount of over 300 million dollars, led to the recultivation of three million square meters of degraded land in Bor and Majdanpek and a significant improvement in the working conditions of all 6,000 workers. In 2023, the reconstruction and technical expansion of the Smelter were completed and the problem of air pollution with sulfur dioxide was finally solved. Coal and fuel oil, which were previously used as fuel, were replaced by natural gas, which greatly reduced the emission of carbon dioxide. \u201cMining for a better society\u201d is our mission and we will remain committed to it in the future<\/strong> \u2013 emphasized Zhang Yicheng.<\/p>\n \nDeputy General Manager of Serbia Zijin Mining Yang Yuankun estimated that 2023 was an extremely successful year for the mining Company that manages the first green mine in Serbia.<\/p>\n \n\u2013 As leaders in sustainable green mining, we achieved outstanding business results and became the largest exporter in Serbia. Exports, which exceed one billion dollars, but also revenues, technological innovations, and social responsibility, have brought us the prestigious award of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce for business success and the status of one of the 100 best companies in Southeast Europe. Serbia Zijin Mining introduced three key ESG standards in 2023 and thus became the first company in Serbia to adopt the SA8000 standard of social responsibility<\/strong> \u2013 said Yuankun. He added that this Company invested 89 million dollars in environmental protection and 2.88 million dollars in initiatives for the development of local communities.<\/p>\n \nSpeaking about the plans for the future, Yuankun stated as goals the increasing renewable energy capacity, especially through the development of solar power plants, and introducing comprehensive ecological plans. Thus saying, at the same time, he expressed the hope that the planned investment in the amount of 36 million dollars in the next five years will further improve the quality of life in local communities.<\/p>\n \n\u2013Our goal is to become a model for \u201cgreen mines\u201d in Europe and set standards as a pioneering mining company that advocates for low-carbon and environmentally friendly practices, social responsibility, health, safety, and sustainable development<\/strong> \u2013 emphasized Yuankun.<\/p>\n \nThe results of two of Zijin\u2019s companies in the field of socially responsible business, which were presented to the public at the fourth \u201cDialogues on China\u201d conference in Belgrade, showed that with plans for further investments in sustainability, renewable energy sources, and the development of the local economy, as well as the ambition to comply with the highest standards of social responsibility and ecological sustainability, Serbia Zijin Koper and Serbia Zijin Mining remain key actors in the mining sector of Serbia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n