Core Viewpoint - The non-ferrous metal sector is experiencing mixed performance, with opportunities for low-cost investments in specific sub-sectors, particularly in the electrolytic aluminum segment, driven by anticipated demand growth and price increases through 2026 [1][2]. Group 1: Market Performance - As of November 24, 2025, the non-ferrous metal industry index (399395) shows mixed results among its constituent stocks, with Dongyangguang (600673) leading gains at 5.68%, followed by Placo New Materials (300811) at 5.42%, and Hailiang Co. (002203) at 4.31% [1]. - The non-ferrous ETF fund (159880) is currently priced at 1.67 yuan [1]. Group 2: Sector Insights - The non-ferrous sector is viewed as presenting a buying opportunity, particularly in segments that have been undervalued [1]. - The electrolytic aluminum sector is highlighted for its high dividend yield as a defensive strategy, with expectations of demand growth and price increases continuing into 2026 [1]. - The outlook for industrial metals is positive, driven by U.S. fiscal expansion and the high copper-aluminum price ratio, which may lead to increased demand for aluminum [1]. Group 3: Index Composition - As of October 31, 2025, the top ten weighted stocks in the non-ferrous metal industry index (399395) include Zijin Mining (601899), Luoyang Molybdenum (603993), and Northern Rare Earth (600111), collectively accounting for 52.91% of the index [2].

Group 1 - The global second-largest copper mine, Grasberg, has announced a restart and production resumption plan, with expected continuous growth in output [1] - Grasberg's copper production is projected to remain at 1 billion pounds (approximately 454,000 tons) in 2026, with an average annual output potentially reaching 1.6 billion pounds (approximately 726,000 tons) from 2027 to 2029 [1] - If Grasberg successfully follows the restart schedule, it could contribute an incremental copper output of approximately 70,000 tons in 2026 and 2027, potentially increasing global copper mine production growth rate to about 3.3% in 2026 [1] Group 2 - Other copper mines, such as Cobre Panamá, are also expected to resume production, with a peak annual capacity of 300,000 to 350,000 tons of copper, accounting for about 1.5% of global copper supply [2] - The Panamanian government is preparing to negotiate with First Quantum regarding the restart of Cobre Panamá, with talks expected to begin by the end of 2025 or early 2026 [2] - The gradual removal of mid-term mining disruptions is anticipated to significantly contribute to the incremental supply from mines like Grasberg and Cobre Panamá, alleviating the tight supply situation in the copper market [2] Group 3 - The growth rate of copper smelting production in 2026-2027 is expected to be lower than that of the copper mine supply side, with copper mine production growth rates projected to reach 3.3% and 5.3% year-on-year [3] - Many overseas smelting plants are reducing capacity due to tight copper concentrate supply and high costs, while domestic copper smelting policies are expected to lead to a lower growth rate in smelting production compared to the supply side [3] - There is potential for marginal improvement in copper smelting fees, indicating investment opportunities in mid-term copper smelting enterprises [3] Group 4 - Investment recommendations include focusing on Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group, one of the largest copper smelting companies in China, which has expectations for increased self-sufficiency in copper concentrate due to the Mirador copper mine [4] - Other recommended stocks include Zijin Mining, which has significant resource reserves and expectations for continued copper mine expansion [4] - Additional stocks to consider are Jiangxi Copper and Luoyang Molybdenum, which have not been rated yet [4]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is maintained as "Positive" [4] Core Insights - The Grasberg copper mine has announced a resumption plan, with expectations for mid-term copper smelting fees to have upward potential [2] - The global second-largest copper mine, Grasberg, is expected to resume large-scale production by Q2 2026, maintaining a copper output of 1 billion pounds (approximately 454,000 tons) in 2026, with an average annual output potentially reaching 1.6 billion pounds (approximately 726,000 tons) from 2027 to 2029 [7] - The resumption of multiple copper mines is anticipated to alleviate supply tensions, with the Cobre Panamá mine also expected to restart production, contributing an additional 300,000 to 350,000 tons of copper metal annually [7] - The growth rate of copper smelting output from 2026 to 2027 is expected to be lower than that of copper supply, indicating potential marginal improvement in smelting fees [7] - Investment opportunities are suggested in major copper smelting companies like Tongling Nonferrous Metals (000630, Buy) and Zijin Mining (601899, Buy), with other notable mentions including Jiangxi Copper (600362, Not Rated) and Luoyang Molybdenum (603993, Not Rated) [7] Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The report focuses on the non-ferrous and steel industries, highlighting the dynamics and trends affecting these sectors [1] Copper Mining Sector - Grasberg's production is expected to stabilize and grow, contributing to a projected copper production growth rate of approximately 3.3% in 2026 [7] - The reopening of Cobre Panamá is also a significant factor in easing supply constraints [7] Copper Smelting Sector - The anticipated growth in copper smelting output is expected to lag behind the supply side, suggesting a favorable outlook for smelting fees [7] - Investment recommendations are made for companies with strong resource bases and production expansion potential [7]

Group 1 - A-shares opened higher on November 24, 2025, with active sectors including 6G, optical communication, AI applications, BC batteries, and computing hardware [1] - The A500 index fell by 0.09% as component stocks showed mixed performance, with GAC Group hitting the 10% limit up, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech rising by 7.30%, and Guangqi Technology increasing by 4.94% [1] - Recent adjustments in the A-share technology sector were influenced by high volatility in the US AI sector and discussions around an "AI bubble," leading to downward pressure on major indices [1] Group 2 - According to Huatai Securities, recent market fluctuations are attributed to external disturbances, with the current market adjustment showing initial signs of support around the mid-September market center [1] - The top ten weighted stocks in the CSI A500 index include CATL, Kweichow Moutai, China Ping An, and others, accounting for 19.36% of the index [2] - A500 ETF by Harvest closely tracks the CSI A500 index, providing balanced exposure to quality core assets across various industries [2]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Outperform" [3] Core Views - The report highlights ongoing speculation regarding interest rate cuts, with a focus on gold and copper markets. The expectation for a December rate cut remains uncertain, influenced by mixed employment data and the lack of CPI data due to government shutdowns. Despite fluctuations in market expectations, historical trends suggest that even if a rate cut does not occur, it will not alter the long-term direction for gold [10][11] - The impact of Russia's gold sales is deemed limited, as the country has significantly reduced its gold purchases in 2023 and is primarily selling gold domestically due to sanctions on international transactions. This is expected to have minimal effect on the global market [10] - Copper prices show resilience, remaining stable within the range of $10,600 to $11,000 per ton, supported by strong supply and demand fundamentals. Recent production guidance from Freeport has been adjusted downward, indicating a tighter supply outlook for 2026 [11] Summary by Sections Gold Market - The ongoing debate over interest rate cuts is affecting gold prices, with December cut probabilities fluctuating between 30% and 70%. The report suggests that the direction for gold remains positive regardless of short-term rate cut outcomes [10] - Russia's gold reserves are over 2,300 tons, but their recent sales are not expected to significantly impact international gold prices due to domestic selling constraints [10] Copper Market - Copper prices have shown strong resilience, not following broader market declines. The report notes a recent increase in the operating rate of copper rod production, indicating robust demand [11] - Freeport's production guidance for copper has been revised downwards, suggesting a tighter supply situation moving forward [11] - The report anticipates further upward adjustments in earnings expectations for copper mining stocks due to ongoing fiscal expansion and liquidity conditions [11] Market Performance - The report indicates that the non-ferrous metals index has underperformed the broader market, with a decline of 6.75% recently. Specific sectors such as lithium and gold have shown varying performance, with lithium stocks performing relatively better [12]

Key Takeaways from Zijin Mining Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Zijin Mining Group (Ticker: 2899.HK) - **Industry**: Greater China Materials - **Market Cap**: US$107.861 billion as of November 20, 2025 - **Current Stock Price**: HK$31.12 - **Price Target**: HK$46.10, representing a 48% upside potential [5][5][5] Copper Production Insights - **2025 Copper Output**: Expected to be approximately 1.1 million tons, revised down from earlier guidance of 1.15 million tons, primarily due to reduced output from the KK mine [4][7][7] - **Production Costs**: Anticipated to remain between Rmb21,000-23,000 per ton in the coming years, with a reported cost of Rmb22,100 per ton in Q3 2025 [2][2][2] - **Julong Copper Mine Phase II**: Set to commence production by the end of 2025, with an additional output of 100,000 tons expected in 2026 [1][1][1] - **Serbia Copper Complex Expansion**: Completion expected around 2027, slightly delayed due to the new block caving method requiring longer approval times [1][1][1] Lithium Production Insights - **Lakkor Tso Production**: Started in early 2025, expected to deliver 10,000 tons of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) in 2025 and 20,000 tons in 2026, with production costs around Rmb35,000-40,000 per ton LCE [3][3][3] - **3Q Project**: Began production in September 2025, with an estimated output of 20,000-30,000 tons LCE in 2026 and a unit cost of Rmb60,000 per ton LCE [3][3][3] - **Xiangyuan Project**: Expected to start production by the end of 2025, with a capacity of 40,000 tons LCE and an expected output of 30,000 tons in 2026 at a unit cost of Rmb50,000-55,000 per ton LCE [3][3][3] - **Future Plans**: Zijin aims to achieve 250,000-300,000 tons per year of LCE lithium production by 2028 [3][3][3] Financial Performance Metrics - **Revenue Projections**: Expected net revenue for 2025 is Rmb354.239 billion, increasing to Rmb411.130 billion in 2026 [5][5][5] - **Earnings Per Share (EPS)**: Projected EPS for 2025 is Rmb1.97, with further growth expected in subsequent years [5][5][5] - **Return on Equity (ROE)**: Expected to be 37.5% in 2025, indicating strong profitability [5][5][5] Risks and Opportunities - **Upside Risks**: Stronger copper prices due to robust demand or supply disruptions in key copper-producing countries, along with volume increases from project ramp-ups [11][11][11] - **Downside Risks**: Weaker copper prices driven by economic downturns, project execution misses, and geopolitical risks affecting production [11][11][11] Conclusion Zijin Mining Group is positioned for growth in both copper and lithium production, with strategic expansions and cost management in place. However, the company faces potential risks from market fluctuations and geopolitical factors that could impact its operations and profitability.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference focused on the basic materials sector in China, particularly metals, power equipment, and energy storage systems (ESS) [1] - Featured insights from 35 experts and companies, including Zijin, Chalco, Hongqiao, CMOC, and CGN Mining [1] Aluminum Sector - **Demand and Supply Dynamics**: Strong aluminum demand driven by electrification and substitution for copper, with a price ratio of approximately 4x [2][8] - **Market Prices**: Aluminum prices exceeded Hongqiao's previous guidance of RMB 20,600–21,300 per ton, supported by fundamentals and potential global smelter shutdowns [2][9] - **Cost Drivers**: Power tariffs are a significant cost factor, with Hongqiao's average tariff at RMB 0.38/kWh in Q3 [2][10] - **Strategic Initiatives**: Hongqiao plans to increase capacity from 1.96 million tons to 2.16 million tons by year-end and is focusing on overseas bauxite expansion [2][11][12] Copper Sector - **Price Forecast**: SMM forecasts copper prices to average US$10,600–11,200 per ton in 2026, with potential spikes to US$12,000 per ton due to tight supply [3][18] - **Supply and Demand**: Global copper supply expected to rise by ~900kt next year, with demand growth projected at ~3%, primarily from EVs and wind power [3][20] - **Production Challenges**: Zijin's 2025 copper output may fall short due to the suspension of the Kakula mine, but long-term guidance remains intact [3][21] Uranium Sector - **Market Revival**: Uranium demand is rebounding as nuclear power becomes a stable energy source for AI and data centers, with a supply-demand gap of ~60kt vs. ~75kt [4][32] - **Price Stability**: Spot prices hover around USD80/lb, with term contracts limiting downside risk [4][32] - **Future Demand Drivers**: Increased nuclear power station construction and the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) are expected to drive future uranium demand [4][30] Tungsten and Molybdenum - **Tungsten Market**: Faces a structural deficit with China producing 83% of global tungsten. Domestic concentrate prices have doubled YoY to RMB 300k/t due to supply constraints [35] - **Molybdenum Trends**: China supplies ~50% of global molybdenum, with demand outpacing supply growth. Prices are expected to remain firm through 2030 [36] Strategic Initiatives and Financial Outlook - **Chalco's Capex**: Projected future capital expenditure of RMB 15-20 billion annually, focusing on resource extension and operational efficiency [2][17] - **Shareholder Returns**: Hongqiao is considering a share buyback exceeding US$3 billion, indicating confidence in cash flow and growth prospects [2][12] - **CMOC's Financial Position**: Strong operational performance with a projected annual capex of USD1 billion for the next few years [24][26] Investment Risks - **Market Risks**: Potential asset impairments and economic shutdowns in alumina operations could pose risks to future performance [17] - **Geopolitical Risks**: Geopolitical tensions may affect supply chains and market stability, particularly in uranium and tungsten sectors [30][35] Conclusion - The conference highlighted robust demand across the metals sector, with strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing production capacity and shareholder value. However, challenges such as supply constraints, geopolitical risks, and fluctuating prices remain critical considerations for investors.

Flash | 16 Nov 2025 18:22:27 ET │ 11 pages Zijin Mining (2899.HK) What's New from Citi 2025 China Conference: Mine Gold and Copper Output Maintain Decent Growth CITI'S TAKE We hosted meetings for Zijin Mining on Nov 13th at our China Conference in Shanghai. Ms. Krystal Chen, IR Manager, attended the meeting. Below are our key takeaways. Mine gold output – Mine gold output is 65t in 9M25, +20% YoY, mainly driven by newly acquired Akyem mine and increasing output from Sawaya'erdun gold mine. Mgmt. expects the ...

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the metals industry, indicating an upward cycle despite liquidity disturbances [2][3]. Core Views - The Federal Reserve's indecisiveness regarding interest rate cuts and changing market sentiment towards AI narratives have led to fluctuations in base metal prices. However, the fundamentals for energy metals remain strong, with prices trending upwards [2][3]. Summary by Sections 1. Precious Metals - Market sentiment is affected by volatility in risk assets and central banks reducing gold reserves. The Federal Reserve's mixed economic assessments and fluctuating expectations for a December rate cut dominate the market [5][7]. - Gold prices as of November 21: SHFE gold decreased by 3.36% to 926.94 CNY/g, while COMEX gold fell by 0.77% to 4062.80 USD/oz [7][25]. - China's gold reserves increased by 30,000 ounces to 7,409 million ounces as of the end of October, marking 12 consecutive months of growth [7]. 2. Copper - Copper prices are under pressure due to fluctuating expectations for interest rate cuts. As of November 21, SHFE copper decreased by 1.43% to 85,660 CNY/ton, and LME copper fell by 0.69% to 10,777.5 USD/ton [10][22]. - The supply side is impacted by an accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while demand remains strong, particularly from AI data centers and power grids [10][22]. 3. Aluminum - Aluminum prices are experiencing high volatility due to macroeconomic expectations. As of November 21, SHFE aluminum decreased by 2.29% to 21,340 CNY/ton, and LME aluminum fell by 2.54% to 2,786 USD/ton [9][22]. - Domestic electrolytic aluminum supply remains stable, while overseas supply concerns persist. The processing operating rate is steady at 62% [9][22]. 4. Energy Metals - The lithium sector shows strong demand, with lithium prices trending upwards. As of last week, lithium carbonate production was 22,100 tons, up by 585 tons, while inventory decreased by 2,052 tons [11]. - Cobalt prices remain high due to tight upstream raw material supply, while demand from the downstream sector is cautious [11]. 5. Rare Earths - Prices for praseodymium and neodymium have slightly increased before retreating, with no significant changes in the fundamentals. As of November 21, prices were 549,000 CNY/ton for praseodymium and neodymium, and 1,485,000 CNY/ton for dysprosium [12].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the metals and new materials industry, despite short-term interest rate cut expectations suppressing market performance [3]. Core Views - The report highlights that the high prosperity trend in the sector remains unchanged, with a focus on the recovery potential of precious metals and stable supply-demand dynamics in industrial metals [4][5]. Weekly Market Review - The Shanghai Composite Index fell by 3.90%, while the Shenzhen Component Index dropped by 5.13%. The non-ferrous metals index decreased by 6.75%, underperforming the CSI 300 Index by 2.98 percentage points [5][6]. - Year-to-date, the non-ferrous metals index has risen by 65.71%, outperforming the CSI 300 Index by 52.53 percentage points [7]. Price Changes - Industrial metals and precious metals saw price fluctuations, with LME copper down by 0.69% and COMEX gold down by 0.53% [4][14]. - Lithium prices increased significantly, with lithium spodumene up by 17.84% and battery-grade lithium carbonate up by 6.90% [4][16]. Precious Metals - The report notes that the U.S. non-farm payrolls exceeded expectations, impacting gold prices. The long-term outlook for gold remains positive due to ongoing central bank purchases and a low current gold reserve in China [4][19]. - The report suggests focusing on companies like Shandong Gold, Zhaojin Mining, and Zijin Mining for potential investment opportunities in the precious metals sector [4][17]. Industrial Metals - Copper demand is expected to remain strong, with supply disruptions anticipated due to a recent landslide at Freeport's Grasberg mine, potentially reducing global copper supply by about 2.2% [4][29]. - The report recommends关注 companies such as Zijin Mining, Luoyang Molybdenum, and Tongling Nonferrous Metals for copper investments [4][17]. Aluminum - The aluminum sector is expected to see a tightening supply-demand balance, with domestic production capacity constraints. The report suggests关注 companies like China Aluminum and Xinjiang Zhonghe for investment [4][42]. - The report indicates that the average profit in the electrolytic aluminum industry is approximately 5,489 yuan per ton, with costs decreasing slightly [4][44]. Steel - The steel production is on the rise, with a decrease in inventory levels. The report highlights the importance of monitoring supply adjustments and export demand [4][18]. - Companies like Baosteel and Shagang Group are identified as stable dividend-paying stocks worth关注 [4][18]. Key Company Valuations - The report provides detailed valuations for key companies in the non-ferrous metals and steel sectors, indicating potential investment opportunities based on their earnings and price-to-earnings ratios [4][17][18].