[SMM Express] Rubaya mining area in North Kivu of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), remains one of the world’s most important sources of coltan, but its strategic importance is matched by significant supply-chain risks. The site has been under the control of the M23 armed group since 2024, with mineral revenues reportedly contributing to the financing of the conflict. Rubaya is estimated to account for a significant share of global coltan supply, making developments there relevant to the wider tantalum market. The situation also highlights the difference between coltan and cobalt risks in the DRC. While cobalt production is concentrated in the southern Copperbelt and is increasingly subject to formalisation and traceability initiatives, coltan from eastern DRC faces a more direct conflict-financing and territorial-control risk. Cross-border movement of minerals through Rwanda has further complicated origin verification and supply-chain due diligence. For buyers, traders and investors, the key issue is therefore not simply whether material comes from the DRC, but where it was mined and who controls the supply chain at the point of extraction. With Rubaya remaining strategically important to global tantalum supply, verified origin, chain-of-custody controls and conflict-risk due diligence will remain critical when sourcing coltan from the region.

Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration issued the "Coal Industry Development 15th Five-Year Plan", which outlines plans for coal production, transportation, and comprehensive utilization, calling for accelerating clean energy substitution in mining areas and deeply integrating green and low-carbon technologies with the coal industry. Regarding energy substitution in mining areas, the plan proposes actively promoting equipment such as electric drive drilling rigs and electric shovels in key coal production processes. In open-pit mine transportation, the plan will expand the application of electric heavy-duty trucks and hydrogen-powered mining trucks in an orderly manner, gradually replacing traditional diesel heavy-duty trucks; while underground coal mines are encouraged to promote electric trackless rubber-tyred vehicles for mining. The plan also specifies the implementation of an old boiler replacement action in mining areas, promoting electric boilers, gas oxidation heating boilers, and clean and efficient pulverized coal boilers according to local conditions to reduce coal consumption in mining areas. In mining areas where conditions permit, charging and battery swapping stations and hydrogen refueling stations will be reasonably arranged, and pilot programs for upgrading green transportation service infrastructure in mining areas will be promoted. In terms of clean energy industry integration, open-pit mining areas with development conditions can build supporting wind power, PV, and electrochemical energy storage projects. The plan supports the creation of a number of demonstrative low-carbon mining area parks by relying on key sites such as mining area electromechanical maintenance workshops, transportation and logistics centers, and coal preparation plants. In addition, the plan encourages coal-to-liquids and coal chemical projects to expand the use of green electricity, promote the substitution of green hydrogen and the synergistic application of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies, further reduce carbon emission levels in related production processes, and facilitate the transition of the coal industry towards cleaner and lower-carbon operations.

As "full capacity" and "flooded with orders" became the truest reflections of the ESS sector in H1, a growth wave driven by both AI computing power and the energy transition is propelling the global ESS battery market to unprecedented heights. Data from the National Energy Administration shows that in H1, investment in key energy projects in China maintained positive growth despite last year's high base, with new-type energy storage up 74.3% YoY. As of end-June, completed and operational new-type energy storage installations nationwide reached 153 GW/396 GWh (153 GW/396 GWh), up 61% YoY. Compared with the end of 2025, when the figures stood at 136 GW/351 GWh (136 GW/351 GWh), this implies new installations of 17 GW/45 GWh in H1.

Capacity side, according to incomplete statistics, China's alkaline electrolyzer market remained at 43.77 GW, and the PEM electrolyzer market at 2.7 GW. This week, there was no public offline delivery information. Project-related developments: Hebei Yonglu Technology Co., Ltd.: The Cangzhou Lingang Economic and Technological Development Zone announced the environmental impact assessment approval decision for the hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and liquid ammonia pipeline transportation project of Hebei Yonglu Technology Co., Ltd. The project is located in the East Zone of Cangzhou Lingang Economic and Technological Development Zone, relying on the park's public pipe gallery to build three pipelines for hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and liquid ammonia, starting from Zhengyuan Hydrogen and ending at Dahua Juhai Branch. The total investment of the project is 26.3938 million yuan, with environmental protection investment of 135,000 yuan, accounting for 0.5% of total investment. The route passes through protective greenbelts, park roads, and enterprises, and does not involve residential areas or ecologically sensitive areas. Once completed, the project will be able to deliver 144 million Nm³ of hydrogen, 96 million Nm³ of carbon monoxide, and 165,000 mt of liquid ammonia annually. Zhejiang Haizhuo New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: The Silicon Bipolar Plate, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack and System, PEM Electrolyzer and System R&D Project of Zhejiang Haizhuo New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. has completed filing in the Jiaxing Economic and Technological Development Zone. The project is an expansion, with a total investment of $2.2185 million, planned to start construction in September 2026 without phased construction arrangements. The project relies on the existing 2,306 m² plant, introduces multiple sets of advanced R&D equipment to build an R&D platform, and conducts R&D on silicon bipolar plates, fuel cell stacks, and PEM electrolyzer systems. This project only conducts laboratory R&D testing, does not produce hydrogen, does not involve the production of vehicle power batteries, and does not include water electrolysis hydrogen production or hydrogen purification facilities. Diaobingshan Huadian Clean Energy Co., Ltd.: The Liaoning Huadian Diaobingshan 450 MW Wind Power-to-Hydrogen Coupled Green Methanol Integrated Demonstration Project has issued an open tender announcement for hydrogen production make-up water pumps and caustic make-up pumps. The project is planned to construct 450 MW of wind power, 295 MW of hydrogen production equipment, and 80 MW/80 MWh energy storage, with a hydrogen storage capacity of 400,000 Nm³ (35.7 mt), an annual hydrogen production capacity of 19,000 mt, and supporting a green methanol production capacity of 100,000 mt/year. This project does not accept bids from consortiums or agents. Shaanxi Huaqin New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. : Shaanxi Huifeng Zhongrui Electric Power Engineering Co., Ltd. has won the electrical engineering procurement project for the No. 3 large-scale electrolyzer assembly workshop of the Phase I hydrogen equipment manufacturing center of Shaanxi Huaqin New Energy, from PowerChina Henan Engineering Company. Shaanxi Yushen Energy Thermal Power Co., Ltd.: The Yushen Qingshui Thermal Power 2×660 MW Unit Hydrogen System Equipment Procurement Project has issued an open tender announcement. The project is planned to construct 2×660 MW high-efficiency ultra-supercritical indirect air-cooled coal-fired units, equipped with full-capacity limestone-wet flue gas desulfurization, flue gas denitrification devices, and auxiliary facilities, with a total land area of approximately 44.2484 hectares and a total investment of approximately 5.3 billion yuan. This project does not accept consortium bids, but agents are allowed to bid. Shenzhen Energy Group: The last electrolyzer of Shenzhen Energy's Otog Banner 505 MW Wind and Solar Power-to-Hydrogen Integrated Green Ammonia Project has been commissioned, and the hydrogen production station has achieved comprehensive and stable hydrogen production, laying a solid foundation for the entire industry chain of green hydrogen to green ammonia. The project has a total of 48 electrolyzers, and all commissioning was completed over two months. The project team overcame multiple challenges including wind-solar power adaptation, system integration, and safety control, conducting round-the-clock troubleshooting and verification. After multiple rounds of testing, the facility achieved successful initial startup, with hydrogen purity consistently meeting standards. Longyuan (Huanxian) New Energy Xifeng Branch : The second public tender announcement for the EPC of Longyuan (Huanxian) New Energy Xifeng Branch's biomass gasification-coupled green hydrogen-to-green fuel project was released. The project received group approval in April 2024 and investment decision approval in September the same year. It will construct a 1,000 Nm³/h water electrolysis hydrogen production system, a 1 t/h biomass pure oxygen pressurized gasifier, alongside 2,000 mt/year green methanol and 60 mt/year green aviation fuel synthesis facilities. A 6 MW distributed off-grid PV system will be built to power the hydrogen production unit. The total construction period is 7 months after contract signing, with joint bids not accepted. Gansu Beifang Santai Chemical Co., Ltd.: China Chengda Engineering Co., Ltd. released the winning bidder shortlist for hydrogen compressors (liquid-ring type). For Section Package 01, the first-ranked bidder was Gardner Denver Nash LLC, with Tsurumi Vacuum Engineering (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. as the secondary candidate. This procurement serves the phosgene chemical recycling industry chain (Phase I) raw material security expansion project of Gansu Beifang Santai Chemical, involving 2 liquid-ring hydrogen compressors. Joint bids were not accepted. Inner Mongolia Huadian Huameng Pipeline Co., Ltd. : The main works of China's first high-pressure, long-distance green hydrogen pipeline (Damaoqi-Baotou Hydrogen Transmission Pipeline) were substantially completed. The 195-km pipeline connects the Bayan Obo wind-solar hydrogen production base with Baotou's industrial core zone. The project resolved high-pressure hydrogen embrittlement challenges through rare-earth-modified piping materials and established a quantitative safety evaluation system, overcoming technical bottlenecks in long-distance pure hydrogen transmission. Upon completion, it will ensure green hydrogen supply for Baotou's industries and enable regional distribution. Mountainous sections are now in final stages, while plain sections undergo pigging and pressure testing, with all parties accelerating construction for operational readiness. Sinochem Lantian Fluorine Materials Co., Ltd.: The shortlist for the Haitang 2003 project's alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen equipment procurement was announced, with Tianjin Continental Hydrogen Equipment Co., Ltd. as the primary candidate (bid price: 2.8628 million yuan). The tender covers one 200 Nm³/h alkaline electrolyzer. Sinochem Lantian is a subsidiary of Sinochem Holdings. Inner Mongolia Junzheng Chemical Co., Ltd.: The 1,000 mt/year CO₂ hydrogenation-to-methanol project obtained filing approval. Located in Wuda Industrial Park, Wuhai, the project has total investment of 11 million yuan (self-funded) and will construct production facilities with supporting power distribution and control systems, scheduled for August 2026-August 2028. Shiyan Yuanzhi Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: The Zhangwan District PV+ESS+hydrogen integration project's tender plan was publicly announced. Invested by Shiyan's state-owned Yuanzhi Energy (established September 2023, registered capital: 50 million yuan), the 320 million yuan project completed filing in May 2024 and plans August 2026 tendering. It includes 37 MW PV, 50 MW/120 MWh ESS, 500 kg/day hydrogen production-refueling facilities, EV swapping stations, and smart energy management systems. Policy Review 1. NDRC and National Energy Administration issued the "15th Five-Year Plan for New-Type Power System Construction," promoting synergistic applications of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and thermal-electrolytic decoupling via molten salt/water heat storage. It pilots advanced heat pump technologies and explores phase-change/solid-state high-temperature storage, while expanding green hydrogen applications including hydrogen-ammonia-alcohol production, hydrogen storage/power generation, and hydrogen/ammonia co-firing. 2. MIIT, NDRC, and SAMR jointly issued the 2026 Key Industry Energy/Carbon Efficiency Leader Enterprise Recommendation Notice, covering 43 sectors including crude oil processing, coke, olefins, ethylene, PX, PTA, methanol, EG, caustic soda, PVC, soda ash, calcium carbide, yellow phosphorus, synthetic ammonia, urea, MAP, DAP, titanium dioxide, tires, sulphuric acid, and polyester. 3. Inner Mongolia Energy Bureau proposed measures for incremental power grid development, encouraging hydrogen integration. Projects under incremental grids may develop hydrogen-based green fuels with on-site green electricity consumption, and support self-use generators powered by green hydrogen/ammonia/methanol. Corporate Updates Sichuan Huachuang Yongqing New Energy Co., Ltd. : Shengshilanhai (Jiangyou) Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Park Chairman Li Qiao visited for discussions on global expansion of low-pressure solid-state hydrogen equipment, covering overseas market strategy, certifications, channels, and IP protection. Both parties recognized significant collaboration potential in hydrogen equipment globalization and agreed to explore diversified partnerships. Faku Qingtai Electric Power New Energy Co., Ltd. : Established with legal representative Chen Huanchi (registered capital: 2 million yuan), its business scope includes hydrogen refueling/storage equipment sales and power generation/transmission/distribution operations. Guangdong Jiayi Huahydrogen Technology Co., Ltd.: Launched solid-state hydrogen storage power modules addressing lithium charging/fuel refilling pain points. The 1.6 kg standardized module enables manual hydrogen cartridge replacement within seconds. Henan Dahe Siji Cold Chain Logistics Co., Ltd. : Signed a strategic agreement with Shanghai Carrier Transicold to deploy ≥3,000 hydrogen cold chain vehicles by 2029-end, with ≥1,000 units in Phase I (August 2026-July 2027). Zhongtian Huahydrogen Co., Ltd. : Commenced Phase II manufacturing center, adding two alkaline electrolyzer production lines to reach 1 GW annual capacity. Zhejiang Yangguang Green Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd. : Completed 10,000-hour durability tests for A11/B11-series AEM electrolyzers under 1.6 MPa high pressure and 1.5 A/cm² current density. TrinaSolar Co., Ltd. : Established a Digital Energy Joint Lab with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Trina Home, focusing on R&D and industrialization of digital energy technologies for PV+ESS+hydrogen applications. Xi'an 1908 New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: Began construction of its solid-state hydrogen equipment R&D base (2,000 m²) in Shaanxi Hydrogen Innovation Park, targeting operational readiness by month-end August. Patent Applications 1. Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, CAS (China) disclosed patent CN2025110028 for ceramic-based anion exchange membranes with 80,000-hour lab-tested lifespan. 2. Johnson Matthey (UK) filed WO2025109876 for Fe-Ni-Mo ternary non-precious metal catalysts with platinum-like activity. Technical Milestones/Specifications 1. Prof. Hu Wenbin's team at Tianjin University published in Science a breakthrough in atomic-scale platinum-group catalyst synthesis. 2. Teams from USTC (Tong Lei/Liang Haiwei) and Tsinghua (Zhang Liang) proposed Carbon Mesopore Depth Engineering (CMDE) using hollow mesoporous carbon spheres to resolve PtCo catalyst trade-offs between oxygen transport and kinetics, achieving DOE targets at 0.1 mgPt/cm² loading. 3. NWPU Prof. Li Zhipeng's team developed a 3D multiphysics model for tubular SOFCs, quantifying impacts of temperature, electrode thickness, porosity, and oxygen domain geometry. 4. China Automotive Research's National Hydrogen Energy Quality Center opened a 0-400 kW hydrogen-compatible vibration test platform, filling domestic gaps in high-power multiphysics testing. 5. DICP's Academician Chen Zhongwei and Associate Researcher Zhang Meng developed a high-specific-power cathode-sealed air-cooled stack technology, resolving industry conflicts between water retention and oxygen transport in fuel cells.

On August 4, the stock price of JCHX fell. As of 10:38 am on August 4, JCHX dropped 0.54% to 71.17 yuan per share. In terms of news, the monthly investor relations activity summary (July 2026) announced by JCHX on August 3 shows: 1. Project Progress of the San Matias Copper-Gold-Silver Mine in Colombia The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Alacran Copper-Gold-Silver Mine has received formal approval from Colombia's National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA). As of now, the technical, environmental, and social impact assessment process involving local communities, authorities, and government technical agencies has been satisfactorily completed. In the subsequent development and construction of the Alacran Copper-Gold-Silver Mine, the company will fully implement the social and economic protection requirements of the environmental permit, always adhering to the core principles of human rights protection, risk prevention, and collective well-being. By establishing a long-term communication and sharing mechanism, it will ensure that project operations coexist harmoniously with local communities for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. According to the feasibility study (FS) for the Alacran Copper-Gold-Silver deposit completed in December 2023 (adopting the NI 43-101 standard), the Alacran Copper-Gold-Silver mine project is an open-pit mining and processing project, with an estimated investment of $420.4 million and a designed ore volume of 97.9 million tons within the pit limit. The construction period is 2 years, and the mine life is expected to be 14.2 years after completion. The project is expected to cumulatively recover 797 million pounds of copper, 550,000 ounces of gold, and 5.35 million ounces of silver. 2. Technological Transformation of the Lubambe Copper Mine Project Since completing the acquisition of the Lubambe Copper Mine in Zambia in H2 2024, the company has continuously strengthened its operation and management, while advancing geological exploration, mining production, beneficiation production, and the renovation of underground auxiliary systems. As the technological transformation plan is gradually implemented, the operational efficiency of the Lubambe Copper Mine will be continuously improved. 3. Remaining Recoverable Reserves and Seasonality of the Dikulushi Mine The company currently holds two mining rights (PE606 and PE13085) in the Katanga Province of southeastern DRC through its subsidiaries Jinjing Mining and Yuanjing Mining, with a mining right area of 68.77 square kilometers. The Dikulushi Copper Mine, which commenced production in December 2021, is part of the PE606 mining right. As of the end of December 2025, the Dikulushi Copper Mine has retained ore reserves of approximately 430,000 tons, with an average copper grade of 7.58%. Since the commencement of production at the Dikulushi Copper Mine, the company has continuously extended the mine's life cycle through simultaneous production and exploration, with significant results: the 2021 annual report disclosed a remaining mining life of 3.58 years, while the 2025 annual report disclosed a remaining mining life of 2.98 years. In the future, this approach of simultaneous production and exploration will continue. The production and sales of the Dikulushi Copper Mine take into account the local rainy season from November to April, and sales are not evenly distributed throughout the year. Generally, the rainy season affects the condition of peripheral roads around the mining area, thereby impacting product transportation, so sales are relatively lower during the rainy season. 4. Expansion and Construction of the Eastern Zone of the Lonshi Copper Mine According to the "Feasibility Study on the Eastern Zone Mining and Processing Project of the Lonshi Copper Mine in DRC" released by the company in January 2025, the eastern zone will adopt underground mining, with a designed annual mining scale of 2.5-3.5 million tons and a planned infrastructure period of 4.5 years. It will reach full production in the 4th year after commissioning, with a total service life of 12 years. To balance the service cycles of the eastern and western zones, the western zone will undergo year-by-year production cuts after the eastern zone commissions, with a combined maximum annual ore output of 4.5 million tons from underground mining in both zones. After the eastern zone reaches full production, the combined annual copper metal production of the eastern and western zones of the Lonshi Copper Mine will be approximately 100,000 tons. 5. Pricing Model of Mining Services Business The pricing model for mining services is cost-plus, based on the mine's resource endowment, technical difficulty of mining, etc., using industry-standard operational efficiency and operating costs as references for pricing. Generally, it is not linked to mineral resource product prices. 6. Listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange To further advance the company's global strategic layout, build an international capital operation platform, broaden diversified financing channels through international capital markets, further enhance the company's comprehensive competitiveness and continuously increase its international influence, and strengthen its core competitiveness, the company is planning to issue overseas-listed shares (H shares) and list on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. The company is actively discussing the relevant work for this H-share issuance and listing. The specific details have not yet been determined. Once the specific plan is finalized, the H-share issuance and listing still need to be submitted to the company's board of directors and shareholders' meeting for deliberation, and require filing, approval, and/or clearance from relevant government and regulatory bodies such as the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. There is significant uncertainty as to whether the H-share issuance and listing can pass the deliberation, filing, and review procedures and ultimately be implemented. 7. Development Potential of Mining Services Business Adopting a target market strategy focused on "large markets, large owners, large projects," the company, on the one hand, consistently implements the philosophy of providing value-added services to mine owners with leading technology, gaining their recognition through high-quality mine construction services, and subsequently undertaking later mining operation and management business. On the other hand, by enhancing mine design and technology R&D, it has initially formed an integrated comprehensive business model encompassing mine construction, mining operation management, and mine design and technology R&D. This model can more effectively meet the needs of owners for mine construction and mining operations, better achieve a rapid and stable transition from infrastructure to production, shorten construction cycles, achieve rapid commissioning and full production, and save infrastructure investment for mine owners. At the same time, the development space for the company's mining services business will become broader. In the future, the growth of the mining services business will mainly come from two directions: first, newly undertaken external projects; second, incremental expansion of existing projects — large mines typically have multiple ore bodies, and their development is often carried out in stages. Specifically, when the first phase progresses to a certain stage, construction of the second phase will commence. During this process, owners will actively seek high-quality service providers. 8. Construction Progress of the Northern Mining Zone of the Phosphate Ore Mine The Liangchahe Phosphate Ore Northern Mining Zone has a production scale of 500,000 t/a and is currently under construction, aiming to be completed and put into production by the end of 2028. 9. View on the Trend of Copper Prices Looking at the current and upcoming period, the copper market faces a pronounced "tight balance" pattern. Supply side, production release is strictly limited by the dual constraints of declining average copper ore grades globally and insufficient long-term capital expenditure, and disruption risks at the mine end are intensifying. Demand side, the global energy transition (new energy sector) and infrastructure construction in emerging markets provide sustained and resilient demand support. Against this backdrop, copper prices are expected to drift higher over the medium and long term. 10. Future Development Strategy of the Company On the basis of maintaining stable development of its existing mine development business, the company relies on its accumulated advantages in technology, management, and industry to actively expand into the resource development sector, gradually exploring a development path of "mining services + resources." Driven by the dual engines of "mining services" and "resource development," it promotes the comprehensive transformation from a single mining services enterprise to a group-oriented mining company. 11. Competitive Advantages of the Company in the Industry With its deep expertise accumulated in mine construction and mining operation management, the company extends along the mining industry chain into areas such as mine resource development, design and R&D, and equipment manufacturing, steadily enhancing its integrated service and control capabilities for mining services. It can feed back experiences gained during construction and problems identified through the shortest channels and at the lowest cost to the development consulting and design phases, and incorporate the company's latest scientific research achievements into its design business to optimize design plans, enabling scientific and technological innovations to rapidly transform into productive forces applied in the resource development sector. This can better shorten the construction cycle of resource development, reduce unit production costs, and increase the safety margin in market competition for mineral products. Through the advantages of integrated operations, it improves resource project development efficiency, extends project life, and maximizes the economic value of resource projects. 12. Are There Plans for Further Mine Acquisitions? From a long-term strategic perspective, the company focuses on resource projects that match its scale and have value investment potential. Currently, the company already owns five mine resource projects, and therefore prefers to achieve reserve growth through exploration work on existing projects, viewing this as a more economical way to acquire resources. At the same time, leveraging its advantages in mine construction and operation, the company will also explore expanding its business through equity participation plus operation. In terms of performance, JCHX's Q1 2026 report disclosed on April 28 showed that the company achieved total operating revenue of 3.414 billion yuan, up 21.45% YoY, and net profit attributable to shareholders of 601 million yuan, up 42.55% YoY. For the increase in Q1 operating revenue and net profit, JCHX's announcement stated that it was mainly due to increased sales of mineral resource products (copper cathode, copper concentrates, iron ore) and rising copper product prices during the period. JCHX's 2025 annual report disclosed that the company's 2025 revenue was 13.894 billion yuan, up 39.74% YoY, and net profit attributable to shareholders was 2.339 billion yuan, up 47.66% YoY. JCHX stated in its 2025 annual report that the 39.74% increase in operating revenue and the 47.66% increase in net profit attributable to shareholders year-on-year were mainly due to the ramp-up and efficiency improvement of its captive mine projects in the mine resource development business during the reporting period. A research report from China Post Securities commenting on JCHX's performance shows that the resource segment experienced volume growth, while the mining services business was a slight drag. By business segment, in 2025, the mine resource business achieved revenue/gross profit of 6.986/3.121 billion yuan, up 117.67%/130.20% YoY, and the mining services business achieved combined revenue/gross profit of 6.613/1.515 billion yuan, up 1.06%/-13.47% YoY. The mine business saw both volume and price increases, while the decline in mining services was mainly due to the Lubambe Copper Mine being converted into an internal unit after acquisition, reducing recognized revenue and gross profit, and some projects being affected by declining operational volume/production ramp-up. Volume: In 2025, copper metal sales were 92,700 tons, up 88.16% YoY, and phosphate ore sales were 357,400 tons, down 1.00% YoY. The increase in copper metal production and sales was mainly due to the Lonshi Copper Mine reaching full production and releasing output, with Dikulushi and Lonshi Copper Mines exceeding production plans, and the Lubambe Copper Mine being consolidated for the full year. In Q1 2026, copper metal production and sales were 22,400/18,100 tons respectively, mainly affected by grade decline and the rainy season. Price: In 2025, copper prices rose 7.62% YoY, and in Q1 2026, they rose 36.72% YoY. Production in 2026 is expected to grow steadily, with huge expansion potential in the long term. In 2026, the company's captive resource projects plan to produce 100,300 tons of copper metal (equivalent) and sell 99,700 tons of copper metal (equivalent), and produce and sell 300,000 tons of phosphate ore; the Istanex Mountain magnetite project plans to produce and sell 1.25 million tons of iron ore concentrates. In the long term, the northern mining zone of the Liangchahe Phosphate Ore Mine is expected to be put into use by the end of 2028, with annual capacity expanding from 300,000 tons to 800,000 tons; the eastern zone of the Lonshi Copper Mine, after commissioning, can expand annual production from 40,000 tons to 100,000 tons; the Lubambe Copper Mine is under technological transformation, and after completion, it is expected to produce 35,000 tons of copper per year; the company's equity stake in the San Matias Copper-Gold-Silver Mine has reached 97.5%, and it is in the EIA approval stage. Risk warning: price fluctuation risk; project progress falling short of expectations risk; downstream demand falling short of expectations risk; model assumptions not aligning with reality; policy exceeding expectations risk, etc.

Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration issued the 15th Five-Year Plan for New-Type Power System Development, setting out systematic plans for the construction of new-type power systems and explicitly proposing to promote the coordinated linkage of thermal, electric, and other energy sources, further expanding the application space of hydrogen energy in the power and industrial sectors. According to the plan, it is expected to encourage the promotion of combined heat and power units to achieve heat-power decoupling through molten salt heat storage, hot water heat storage, and other methods, support the adoption of advanced thermal-electric conversion technologies such as high-parameter heat pumps, and simultaneously explore the application of technologies including phase-change heat storage, solid heat storage, and high-temperature heat storage, so as to enhance multi-energy joint operation levels and flexible regulation capabilities. In the hydrogen energy sector, the plan proposes expanding application scenarios such as green electricity-to-hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol production, hydrogen energy storage, hydrogen power generation, and hydrogen (or ammonia) co-firing in thermal power. Relevant deployments will further align renewable energy hydrogen production with the regulation needs of the power system, providing a clearer development direction for hydrogen in energy storage, power generation, and the low-carbon transformation of traditional energy sources. The release of the plan signifies that hydrogen energy will no longer be confined to transportation or single industrial uses but will accelerate its integration into the construction of new-type power systems. As scenarios such as green electricity-to-hydrogen, hydrogen energy storage, and hydrogen co-firing power generation gradually expand, the role of hydrogen in promoting renewable energy consumption, enhancing power system flexibility, and driving the green transformation of the energy structure is expected to strengthen further.

SMM August 4 News: In the metals market: Overnight, base metals on the domestic market generally rose. SHFE copper gained 0.43%. SHFE aluminum added 0.61%. SHFE lead fell 1.17%, SHFE zinc dropped 0.82%, and SHFE tin rose 0.44%. SHFE nickel climbed 1.13%. Additionally, the most-traded alumina futures contract fell 0.08%, and the most-traded cast aluminum contract edged up 0.24%. Overnight, ferrous metals mostly declined. Stainless steel surged 3.09%, iron ore fell 0.71%, and rebar slipped 0.4%. Hot-rolled coil fell 0.56%. In coking coal and coke: the most-traded coking coal contract rose 0.55%, while the most-traded coke contract fell 0.46%. Overnight on the overseas metals market, LME base metals showed mixed performance. LME copper gained 0.33%. LME aluminum rose 1%. LME lead fell 0.72%. LME zinc dipped 0.16%. LME tin inched up 0.03%. LME nickel slipped 0.26%. Overnight in the precious metals segment : COMEX gold rose 0.09%, while COMEX silver gained 1.05%. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE gold contract fell 0.11%, while the most-traded SHFE silver contract added 0.34%. As of 7:17 a.m. on August 4, overnight closing prices: Macro Front Domestic side: [Li Qiang Signs State Council Decree to Promulgate Revised Regulations on the Protection of Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits] Premier Li Qiang recently signed a State Council decree to promulgate the revised Regulations on the Protection of Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, effective October 15, 2026. The Regulations aim to protect exclusive rights to integrated circuit layout-designs, encourage technological innovation in integrated circuits, and promote scientific and technological development. The Regulations consist of six chapters and 54 articles, with the main revisions as follows. First, clarify the overall requirements. The protection of integrated circuit layout-designs shall implement the strategic deployment of the Party and the state on intellectual property rights, expand the scope of protection, and emphasize good faith. Second, improve the application and examination procedures. Regulate fraudulent applications, refine material requirements, improve rejection and revocation procedures, and add procedures for restoration of rights. Third, strengthen protection of exclusive rights. Clarify standards for defining the scope of rights and increase compensation for infringement. Fourth, promote the utilization of layout-designs. Strengthen public services, specify reward and remuneration measures, improve requirements for transfer, licensing, and pledge, and regulate the exercise of co-owners' rights. (Xinhua News Agency) [NDRC and National Energy Administration Issue the 15th Five-Year Plan for New-Type Power System Construction] The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration issued the 15th Five-Year Plan for New-Type Power System Construction. It proposes that by 2030, the new-type power system will be initially established: a green and low-carbon power supply pattern will have basically taken shape, with non-fossil energy accounting for 50% of power generation; power supply capability will be continuously enhanced, complementarity and mutual support among power systems will be greatly improved, and security and resilience will be significantly strengthened, keeping power supply adequacy at a reasonable level to effectively meet the electricity needs of socioeconomic development and people's aspirations for a better life; a safe, reliable, green, low-carbon, strong, resilient, intelligent, and flexible new-type power grid will be initially built, giving full play to its role as a resource allocation platform and service functions, achieving high-level consumption of over 2.8 billion kW of new energy, and establishing a charging infrastructure network capable of supporting more than 110 million EVs. The institutional mechanisms for the new-type power system will be further improved, and a unified national power market system will be basically established. The plan proposes promoting wide-load high-efficiency retrofits for existing coal-fired power units, controlling the increase in coal consumption under low-load operating conditions to within 25%. It also calls for promoting full-load denitrification retrofits for coal-fired units based on local conditions. Implement a batch of cross-generation upgrade projects for 600,000-kW-level units. In areas with suitable conditions, build a number of zero-carbon and low-carbon fuel co-firing and carbon capture, utilization, and storage projects. Formulate policies for the integrated development of coal power and new energy, support the priority implementation of a batch of coal power-new energy integration projects in areas where conditions permit, carry out retrofits to enhance coal power's regulating capability, and promote the coupling and integration of coal power and new energy systems to achieve integrated regulation and delivery and reduce coal-fired power generation. [SHFE Issues Notice on Launching Spread Orders] To meet market needs and improve market operation efficiency, the Shanghai Futures Exchange will launch spread orders starting from August 24, 2026 (i.e., the night continuous trading session on August 21, 2026). Initially, spread orders will be applicable to copper, gold, rebar, and natural rubber futures. Subsequent plans to extend to other products and introduce cross-product spread combinations will be notified separately by the exchange. Spread orders are supported only for futures products, with a minimum order size of 1 lot and a maximum of 500 lots. [Shanghai International Energy Exchange Issues Notice on Launching Spread Orders] To meet market needs and improve market operation efficiency, the Shanghai International Energy Exchange will launch spread orders starting from August 24, 2026 (i.e., the night continuous trading session on August 21, 2026). Initially, spread orders will be applicable to crude oil futures. Subsequent plans to extend to other products and introduce cross-product spread combinations will be notified separately by INE. Spread orders are supported only for futures products, with a minimum order size of 1 lot and a maximum of 500 lots. (Shanghai International Energy Exchange) [CISA: In the Next Stage, Strictly Implement the Steel Export License Management System] In H1 2026, steel exports saw an overall decline in volume and stable prices, while steel billet exports surged significantly. Overseas, 12 original anti-dumping investigations were initiated against Chinese steel, and trade friction pressure remained unabated. In H2, external constraints tightened: the EU's new steel safeguard measures reduced quotas and introduced the "melted and poured" origin rule, and coupled with global geopolitical disruptions, the export environment became more complex. In the next stage, strictly implement the steel export license management system, adhere to the orientation of "promoting high-end products, stabilizing peripheral markets, and strict supervision," strengthen industry self-discipline, optimize the export structure, deepen cultivation of peripheral and emerging markets, actively respond to trade frictions, proactively adapt to international rules, and drive the transformation of exports toward high-end and green development to achieve steady and orderly progress. (CISA) US Dollar: Overnight, the US dollar index rose 0.19% to 99.97. In July, the US manufacturing sector grew at its fastest pace in more than four years, driven by sustained strong demand, surging production, and increased hiring. The ISM Manufacturing PMI came in at 55.6 in July, the highest since May 2022. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, and the sector has now been above that level for seven consecutive months. The Production Index climbed to 58.5, the highest since the end of 2021, while the employment gauge signaled that manufacturers added workers for the first time since September 2023. New order growth — a signal of demand — also rebounded. Manufacturing has been robust this year, with factories benefiting from solid consumer demand, firm business investment, and government spending on national defense. All but one manufacturing industry reported growth in July, including printing, apparel, and electrical equipment. The only industry reporting contraction was chemical products. According to CME FedWatch, the probability that the Fed will keep rates unchanged in September is 32.8%, while the probability of a cumulative 25bp rate hike is 67.2%. For the October meeting, the probability of holding rates steady is 23.3%, while the probability of a cumulative 25bp hike is 57.3% and a cumulative 50bp hike is 19.3%. Fed's Williams said he remains optimistic that inflation pressures will gradually ease, but if that does not happen, the Fed will not hesitate to raise rates to ensure price pressures return to target. In an interview with Reuters last Friday, Williams said that if energy prices and trade tariffs have peaked and the economy remains on a solid footing, "I think some of the main factors that had been pushing up inflation over the last year and a half or so will fade, and some of the disinflationary forces that we had observed earlier should reassert themselves." He added, "I'm watching very carefully the next few months' readings on core inflation to see if they are consistent with inflation moving toward 2% and continuing to trend lower, to give us confidence that we can achieve our 2% inflation goal durably by 2028." He also said, "My own forecast is that inflation will come down in the second half of this year and come down further next year." Williams reiterated that the current policy stance is "well positioned" to bring inflation back to target. But he noted, "If we are not on a path to bring inflation down to 2% ... then taking action to get us back to that 2% path would be entirely appropriate." (Jin10 Data APP) Other Currencies: Data from the Bank of Japan's accounts suggest that Japan likely spent about $34 billion on Friday to intervene in the foreign exchange market to support the yen, building on the coordinated action with the US on Thursday. Based on a comparison of BOJ account data released Monday with money broker forecasts, the estimated intervention was about 5.33 trillion yen (approximately $34 billion). Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama confirmed earlier Monday that Japan had stepped into the market on Friday. The continued yen-buying by Japanese authorities underscores their determination to counter bearish bets against the yen. The US Treasury joined the effort last week to shore up the yen, marking the closest coordination on exchange rate policy in 15 years. Analysis of the BOJ accounts does not reflect the scale of US intervention in the market, but US involvement may have reduced the amount of funds Japan needed to achieve the same exchange rate effect. (Jin10 Data APP) Macro: Today, data such as the US Trade Balance for June, US JOLTS Job Openings for June, and US Factory Orders MoM for June will be released. Attention should be paid to: SpaceX's Q2 2026 earnings release; the FMS 2026 Flash Memory Summit to be held August 4-6, with storage giants such as Samsung and SK hynix in attendance. Crude Oil: Overnight, both crude oil futures plunged, with WTI tumbling 5.44% and Brent falling 4.81%. Last Sunday, Trump said publicly that the US and Iran would start talks on Monday, adding that "after the Hormuz agreement comes the nuclear deal." Iran earlier Monday denied the claim of talks with the US. During afternoon US stock trading, Trump again said negotiations with Iran were still ongoing. He said the US is currently in dialogue with Iran at its request, a process supported by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and other countries, and stressed that this will be Iran's "last chance to sign a good deal." Signals are currently mixed, and the market has turned to a wait-and-see mode. Substantive risks in the Strait of Hormuz have yet to dissipate. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported an explosion near a tanker off the coast of Oman on Sunday. This waterway, which in peacetime carries about one-fifth of global crude oil and LNG shipments, already saw an LNG carrier attacked late last week. On the futures curve, Brent is in a pronounced backwardation structure, reflecting still-tight physical market supply. (Wall Street Insights)

Recently, the NDRC is working with relevant departments to accelerate the study and formulation of the Implementation Plan for the Strategy of Expanding Domestic Demand (2026-2030). Moving forward, the NDRC will work with relevant departments to effectively expand China's domestic demand with greater intensity and more concrete measures.

The NDRC held a press conference for July. A spokesperson of the NDRC stated that in H1, China’s pace of independent AI innovation accelerated, achieving rapid breakthroughs across multiple links of the entire industry chain. First, the computing power foundation was consolidated; the first fully homegrown 100,000-card AI supercluster was officially put into operation, and as of month-end June, the national intelligent computing power scale reached 2.8 times that of the same period last year. Second, model capabilities leaped forward; local companies such as DeepSeek and Moonshot AI successively released multiple open-source large models with trillion-level parameters, total global downloads of domestic large models surpassed 10 billion times, and domestic models were rapidly adapted to domestic computing power chips. Third, factor mobility was vibrant; over 120,000 high-quality datasets were built, and a virtuous cycle of mutual reinforcement among computing power, models, and data took shape at a faster pace. Driven by coordinated efforts across all areas, AI became a surging source of economic growth momentum, and related sectors maintained high growth of over 30%.

Jiang Yi, Director of the Policy Research Office and spokesperson of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), pointed out at a press conference that, according to estimates by relevant institutions, computing power network construction during the 15th Five-Year Plan period will lead to new direct investment of 4 trillion yuan. Considering that computing power construction is mainly driven by enterprise investment, this will create huge room for private investment. We will strengthen planning guidance and factor support to create a favourable environment for private investment.