The China National Chemical Corporation held its 2016 Work Conference.

   1 On the 17th of the month, the 2016 work conference of the China Chemical Geology And Mining Bureau was held in Beijing. The bureau’s director, Shang Honglin, delivered a work report titled “Deepening Reform, Enhancing Management, and Striving to Usher in a New Phase of Reform and Development during the 13th Five-Year Plan Period.” Yue Wei, secretary of the bureau’s Party Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered a concluding speech.

The primary objectives of this meeting are to implement the spirit of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, as well as the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Plenary Sessions of the 18th CPC Central Committee, and to carry out the relevant work arrangements of the China National Coal Administration; to review our bureau’s performance during the 12th Five-Year Plan period and in 2015; to analyze the current situation; to formulate the overall guiding principles for the 13th Five-Year Plan; and to lay out the work plan for 2016.

Shang Honglin’s work report reviewed and summarized the achievements of the 12th Five-Year Plan period and the year 2015 across nine key areas. In 2015, total profits reached 1.5 times the level of 2010. Over the past five years, the system’s total assets grew at an average annual rate of 6.25%, while net assets increased by an average of 12.22% per year. In 2015, the system’s total operating revenue rose by 16.29% compared with the same period last year. External business revenue amounted to 117.35% of the annual plan, up 15.73% year on year; and total profits achieved 111.41% of the planned target, representing a 18.96% increase over the previous year.

The report indicates that during the 12th Five-Year Plan period, the entire system implemented more than 2,500 geological projects and completed 1.6 million meters of drilling. The “Detailed Exploration of the Deep Eastern Wing of the Yangshui Phosphate Mine Area in Kaiyang County, Guizhou Province” was recognized as one of the Top Ten Geological Prospecting Achievements of the Chinese Geological Society for 2011, while the “Detailed Iron Ore Exploration of the Lanling Mining Area (Gulin–Lanling Section) in Cangshan County, Shandong Province” received the same honor in 2013. Furthermore, potassium‑bearing exploration in the Tarim Basin achieved a significant breakthrough, with an estimated prospective potash resource of approximately 500 million tons; at the Taijiyingzi gold mine in Beipiao City, 15.14 tonnes of gold resources were discovered; and deep‑level exploration at the Dongshengmiao mining area in Urad Rear Banner yielded 232,000 tonnes of lead–zinc metal and 2.7772 million tonnes of pyrite. In the Hongsheng area of Fujin City, Heilongjiang Province, a large lignite deposit was identified, with coal resources totaling 2.193 billion tonnes; meanwhile, oil‑sand exploration in Zhenlai County, Songliao Basin, uncovered 21.237 million tonnes of oil sands, resulting in China’s first comprehensive oil‑sand exploration report. Additionally, the system comprehensively completed potential assessments for six key chemical mineral commodities—phosphate, sulfur, potash, boron, fluorite, and barite—nationwide. A number of resource reserves were newly added or upgraded: phosphate—3.011 billion tonnes; iron ore—643 million tonnes; fluorite—4.2427 million tonnes; gold—21.54 tonnes; silver—215 tonnes; lead–zinc—362,000 tonnes; kaolin—107 million tonnes; coal—2.014 billion tonnes; oil sands—21.32 million tonnes; and rock salt—994 million tonnes. As of now, the system holds 28 domestic prospecting rights projects currently valid, covering a registered exploration area of 512.50 square kilometers. In 2015, the organization carried out over 220 geological exploration projects, completing 192,200 meters of drilling. New or upgraded resource reserves included: phosphate—1.354 billion tonnes; gold—6.4 tonnes; iron ore—12.065 million tonnes; and cement-grade limestone—17.9296 million tonnes. Meanwhile, the Fujian Institute’s project titled “Investigation and Evaluation of Crystalline Graphite Deposits in the Taoqi–Jianyang Linggenqiang Area of Wuyishan City” led to the discovery of two major graphite deposits—one on the periphery of Taoqi in Wuyishan and another between Jukou and Changgeng in Jianyang City. Similarly, the Jilin Institute’s “Basic Geological Survey of the Oil‑Sand Belt on the Western Slope of the Songliao Basin,” through drilling verification, confirmed the presence of three distinct oil‑sand layers.

The report notes that, during the 12th Five-Year Plan period, all units within our bureau actively expanded into international markets, further enhancing their market‑development capabilities. The enterprise‑oriented reform of the entire bureau laid a solid ideological foundation for advancing deeper reforms and development. Employees underwent a profound shift in mindset, and an initial enterprise‑based operational framework was put in place. In response to market dynamics and business‑development needs, efforts to adjust both the workforce structure and the industrial mix were intensified. The bureau continuously increased support for scientific and technological innovation, with cumulative investments totaling approximately RMB 120 million, enabling the implementation of a number of key research projects and yielding significant achievements in geological exploration and related fields. Meanwhile, foundational management practices were steadily deepened, social welfare initiatives and corporate social responsibility continued to be strengthened, and Party building as well as mass‑organization work were further reinforced.

     The report points out that, in summarizing the work of the 12th Five-Year Plan period, we can draw the following insights and lessons: We must remain committed to emancipating the mind, orienting ourselves toward the market, and putting customers first; we must persist in reform and innovation, emphasize innovation-driven development, and accelerate transformation and upgrading; we must strengthen management, govern enterprises in accordance with laws and regulations, and enhance our governance and control capabilities; and we must ensure that Party building provides robust support, integrates seamlessly with corporate development, and achieves “resonance at the same frequency.”

The report notes that, as we enter the 13th Five-Year Plan period, we face numerous challenges and opportunities. We must align with our positioning as a “non‑energy mineral resources‑based corporate group,” establish an integrated industrial structure with two strategic pillars, advance three transformative shifts, and focus on building four core competencies.

——Establishing an industrial structure of “one core, two wings.” The “one core” refers to consistently positioning “comprehensive development of non-energy mineral resources” as the fundamental orientation and primary focus of our bureau’s development. The “two wings” signify, while steadfastly advancing the resource‑related industries, vigorously expanding geological services and other diversified business lines.

——Promoting the realization of three transformative developments. The “three transformative developments” refer to our bureau’s efforts to advance “corporatization reform, market-oriented transformation, and internationalization.”

——Focus on building four core capabilities. The “four core capabilities” refer to continuously strengthening the enterprise’s “vitality, control, core competitiveness, and risk resilience.”

While outlining the work plan for 2016, Shang Honglin emphasized that 2016 marks the inaugural year of both the 13th Five-Year Plan and the decisive stage in China’s efforts to achieve a moderately prosperous society in all respects. It has been designated as the “Year of Management” for our bureau, and we will continue to follow the overarching reform and development framework of “1-2-3-5,” the Guiding Opinions on Deepening Reform, and the bureau’s new requirements of “One Core, Two Wings, Three Transformations, Four Capabilities.” We will further deepen enterprise reform, elevate management and control capabilities, and standardize all aspects of administrative work. To this end, we will focus on the following key areas: first, align thinking and lead the reform process; second, orient reforms toward market demand and deepen enterprise restructuring; third, adjust the industrial structure and advance transformation and upgrading; fourth, uphold law-based corporate governance and standardize enterprise management; fifth, implement innovation-driven development and cultivate a skilled workforce; sixth, prioritize social welfare and build a harmonious enterprise; and seventh, strengthen Party building to provide robust organizational support.

The report calls upon us: the new goals set even higher standards for us, and the new historical era has entrusted us with a fresh historic mission. Standing at this new starting point, we bear a heavy responsibility, face daunting tasks, and carry a glorious mission. Under the sound leadership of the China National Coal Administration and with the guidance and support of relevant state ministries and commissions, let us further emancipate our minds, update our thinking, continue to deepen reform, enhance management, and strive to usher in a new phase of reform and development during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, thereby making new and greater contributions to building a resource exploration and development enterprise with Sinochem characteristics.

Party Secretary Yue Wei summarized the meeting. He pointed out that Director Shang Honglin’s work report has aligned thinking, clarified direction, and refined objectives and responsibilities, thereby ensuring the orderly implementation of all tasks this year. The guiding principles and overall requirements for reform and development during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, as well as the general approach, objectives, and specific tasks for 2016, are clear, practical, and feasible. Throughout the report, the central theme is deepening reform and promoting development, making it highly instructive and operational—serving as a guiding document for all units in planning their work for 2016.

Regarding the implementation of the spirit of the meeting, Yue Wei emphasized the following points: First, we must remain confident, build consensus, and innovate in our work; second, we must ensure that the “Three Responsibility Agreements” are fully put into practice; third, we must strengthen management to achieve the objectives of the “Year of Management”; fourth, we must enhance workplace safety management and enforce safety responsibilities in accordance with the principle of “dual responsibility for each post and accountability for dereliction of duty”; and fifth, we must creatively advance Party building and ideological‑political work.

This meeting was held via video conference, with 389 participants—including the Party and administrative leaders of the General Administration, deputy-section-level and above officials at the headquarters, members of the leading teams of all directly affiliated units, and the principal Party and administrative officers of third-level units—attending from the main venue and sub-venues. (Wang Qingfeng, Cheng Zheng, Song Yingchao)