Investment Rating - The investment rating for the non-ferrous metals industry is "Positive" (maintained) [4][106]. Core Views - The report highlights that copper prices are experiencing fluctuations due to the interplay of the 232 investigation and interest rate cut expectations, with recent price changes showing a mixed trend [5]. - The report emphasizes the importance of low inventory levels in supporting copper prices, while also noting the potential impact of the 232 copper import investigation and upcoming interest rate decisions by the Federal Reserve [5]. - The report suggests monitoring companies such as Zijin Mining, Luoyang Molybdenum, Jincheng Mining, and Western Mining for investment opportunities [5]. Summary by Sections 1. Industry Overview - The report provides insights into macroeconomic indicators, including U.S. employment data, which may influence market conditions [9]. - The non-ferrous metals sector's performance is analyzed, with the sector underperforming compared to the Shanghai Composite Index [11]. 2. Industrial Metals 2.1 Copper - Recent price movements show LME copper up by 0.25%, while SHFE copper is down by 0.24% [25]. - Inventory levels for copper have increased, indicating a potential shift in market dynamics [25]. 2.2 Aluminum - LME aluminum prices increased by 0.41%, with inventory levels also rising [35]. - The report notes a decrease in aluminum smelting profits, attributed to rising costs [35]. 2.3 Lead and Zinc - Lead prices have seen a slight increase, while zinc prices have decreased [48]. - Inventory levels for both metals are discussed, highlighting market supply conditions [48]. 2.4 Tin and Nickel - Tin prices have decreased slightly, while nickel prices have shown an upward trend [62]. - The report discusses profitability metrics for nickel producers in both domestic and international markets [62]. 3. Energy Metals 3.1 Lithium - Lithium prices have shown a slight rebound, with specific price changes noted for lithium carbonate and lithium spodumene [74]. - The report indicates that supply-side adjustments are anticipated, which may affect future pricing [74]. 3.2 Cobalt - Cobalt prices have increased domestically due to export bans from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which may create supply constraints [86]. - The report highlights the profitability of domestic cobalt refining operations [86].

Summary of Key Points from Conference Call Records Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the lithium mining industry, focusing on developments in Australia and Zimbabwe, as well as challenges and opportunities in other regions such as South America and Africa [1][3][10]. Key Insights and Arguments - **Declining Lithium Grades and Mine Closures**: Australia is experiencing a decline in lithium ore grades and mine closures, aligning with global trends. New projects like Mountain Holland and Castle in Valley are expected to release 160,000 to 200,000 tons of lithium ore, while older mines are optimizing recovery rates [1][4]. - **Challenges in Zimbabwe**: Zimbabwe's lithium production faces significant challenges, including lower ore quality compared to Australia, political risks associated with the BOT model, and issues with electricity and sulfuric acid supply for lithium sulfate production [1][5][6]. - **Investment and Taxation Issues**: The Zimbabwean government imposes a 5% export tax on lithium, which Chinese companies are negotiating to delay until 2027, when a sulfuric acid plant is expected to be operational [1][9][6]. - **High Transportation Costs**: Transportation costs for lithium from Mali are high, making profitability difficult. The Democratic Republic of Congo faces legal disputes that hinder development, while South American salt lakes present rich resources but have unfavorable investment environments [1][10][12]. - **Long-term Prospects in South America**: Companies with strong capabilities and professional teams are expected to benefit from long-term investments in South American salt lakes, despite the high initial capital expenditures and infrastructure challenges [1][18]. Additional Important Content - **Production Costs and Pricing Dynamics**: The average production cost for Australian lithium mines is approximately 62,000 CNY per ton, while Zimbabwe's costs are close to 70,000 CNY per ton. Current market conditions show a negative feedback loop between spot prices and production costs, leading to further price declines [3][21][22]. - **Market Overcapacity**: The lithium market is currently in a state of oversupply, with an average excess of 200,000 tons per year, which may take two to five years to absorb [3][32]. - **Future Price Expectations**: Short-term expectations for lithium carbonate prices are projected to remain between 70,000 and 80,000 CNY, with long-term forecasts suggesting similar levels unless significant changes in demand or supply occur [34]. - **Emerging Technologies**: The development of solid-state batteries may influence lithium demand, but the impact is expected to be limited in the short term due to slower-than-anticipated technological advancements [38][41]. Conclusion The lithium mining industry is facing a complex landscape characterized by declining ore grades, high production costs, and significant geopolitical risks, particularly in Zimbabwe. While there are opportunities for growth in South America, the current market is oversupplied, leading to price pressures. Companies must navigate these challenges while considering the potential impact of emerging technologies on future demand.

中矿资源集团股份有限公司 关于投资建设年产3万吨高纯锂盐技改项目的公告 中矿资源集团股份有限公司 证券代码：002738 证券简称：中矿资源 公告编号：2025-032 号 本公司及董事会全体成员保证信息披露的内容真实、准确、完整，没有虚 假记载、误导性陈述或重大遗漏。 一、投资项目概述 为进一步降低锂盐业务生产成本，加速推进智能制造转型升级，深化绿色低碳 发展模式，中矿资源集团股份有限公司（以下简称"公司"或"本公司"）下属全 资公司中矿资源（江西）锂业有限公司（以下简称"中矿锂业"）拟对年产2.5万吨 锂盐生产线进行综合技术升级改造，投资建设年产3万吨高纯锂盐技改项目（以下 简称"项目"或"本项目"）。项目总投资额为12,074.42万元，资金来源为中矿锂 业自有资金或自筹资金，停产检修及技改时间约为6个月。 本次投资不构成关联交易，亦不构成《上市公司重大资产重组管理办法》规定 的重大资产重组。本次投资金额在公司经理层审批权限范围内，无需提交公司董事 会及股东会审议。 二、投资项目介绍 1、项目基本情况 （1）项目名称：年产3万吨高纯锂盐技改项目。 （2）建设地点：江西省新余市高新技术产业开发区化工园区。 ...

中矿资源集团股份有限公司 证券代码：002738 证券简称：中矿资源 公告编号：2025-031 号 中矿资源集团股份有限公司 2024 年年度权益分派实施公告 1、公司 2024 年度利润分配及资本公积金转增股本方案已经 2025 年 5 月 15 日召开的 2024 年度股东大会审议通过，具体分配方案为：以 2024 年 12 月 31 日 公司总股本 721,491,877 股为基数，向全体股东每 10 股派发现金红利 5.00 元（含 税），本次预计现金分红总额 360,745,938.50 元（含税）。公司 2024 年度不送红 股，不以资本公积金转增股本。 2、自公司 2024 年度利润分配及资本公积金转增股本预案披露至实施期间， 公司总股本未发生变化；若在权益分派股权登记日前公司总股本发生变化的，公 司将以未来实施分配方案时股权登记日享有利润分配权的股份总数为基数，按照 分配比例不变的原则进行调整。 3、本次实施的分配方案与 2024 年度股东大会审议的议案一致。 4、本次利润分配距离股东大会通过利润分配方案时间未超过两个月。 二、本次实施的利润分配及资本公积金转增股本方案 本公司2024年年度 ...

Core Viewpoint - The company Zhongmin Resources (002738) announced a comprehensive technological upgrade and transformation of its subsidiary Zhongmin Lithium's lithium salt production line, with a total investment of 121 million yuan [1] Group 1: Project Details - The project aims to upgrade the existing lithium salt production line with an annual capacity of 25,000 tons to a new high-purity lithium salt project with an annual capacity of 30,000 tons [1] - The funding for the project will come from Zhongmin Lithium's own funds or self-raised funds [1] - The expected duration for the shutdown and technical upgrade is approximately 6 months [1] Group 2: Environmental and Technical Standards - The production process technology level, energy consumption, and raw material consumption will meet the advanced standards of similar domestic facilities [1] - The pollutant emissions from the project will comply with national relevant standards [1] Group 3: Capacity and Competitive Advantage - Upon completion, the company will have a total annual production capacity of 71,000 tons of battery-grade lithium salt [1] - The comprehensive competitiveness of the company's lithium salt business will be further enhanced [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the report emphasizes the sustained upward trend in gold prices driven by ongoing U.S. fiscal pressures and geopolitical issues, while silver is expected to enter a phase of catch-up growth [1][2] - The report predicts that the precious metals market will continue to benefit from a weakening U.S. dollar credit system, with gold's price center expected to rise due to multiple converging factors [2][3] - Silver's supply-demand dynamics are projected to maintain a deficit throughout the year, creating a favorable environment for price increases, especially as the gold-silver ratio is expected to converge downward during the easing cycle [1][2] Group 2 - The industrial metals sector is anticipated to experience price increases due to a combination of limited supply and low inventory levels, particularly for copper and aluminum, which are expected to see demand elasticity release [2][3] - The report highlights that the global economy is likely to remain in a loose monetary environment, which will support industrial metal prices and enhance demand driven by domestic policy [2][3] - The energy metals sector is currently in a clearing phase, with demand from sectors like electric vehicles and photovoltaics expected to remain resilient, although the overall supply-demand balance is still skewed towards excess [3] Group 3 - Investment recommendations suggest focusing on companies with significant cost advantages and expected volume growth in the coming years, including Zijin Mining, Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining, Shandong Gold, Luoyang Molybdenum, Tianshan Aluminum, Yun Aluminum, Huayou Cobalt, and Zhongjin Resources [4]

Group 1 - Recently, Zhongkuang Resources (002738) established a new subsidiary named Zhongkuang Resources (Guangdong Hengqin) Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. with a registered capital of 20 million yuan [1] - The business scope of the new company includes supply chain management services, procurement agency services, import and export of goods, and technology import and export [1] - The company is wholly owned by Zhongkuang Resources, as indicated by the equity penetration analysis from Qichacha [1]

Group 1 - Recently, Zhongkuang Resources (002738) established a wholly-owned subsidiary named Zhongkuang Resources (Guangdong Hengqin) International Trade Co., Ltd. with a registered capital of 50 million yuan [1] - The business scope of the new company includes investment activities with its own funds, international freight forwarding, and domestic freight forwarding [1] - The company is fully owned by Zhongkuang Resources, as indicated by the equity penetration data from Qichacha [1]

Group 1: Liquidity and Performance of Rare Metal ETF - The rare metal ETF had an intraday turnover of 1.2%, with a transaction value of 10.24 million yuan [3] - Over the past year, the average daily transaction value of the rare metal ETF was 36.11 million yuan, ranking first among comparable funds [3] - The net asset value of the rare metal ETF increased by 13.41% over the past year [3] - The highest monthly return since inception was 24.02%, with the longest consecutive monthly increase being 3 months and an average monthly return of 7.60% [3] Group 2: Growth and Valuation of Rare Metal ETF - The rare metal ETF's scale grew by 5.45 million yuan over the past year, also ranking first among comparable funds [3] - The latest financing buy-in amount reached 1.70 million yuan, with a financing balance of 25.74 million yuan [3] - The valuation of the index tracked by the ETF is at a historical low, with a price-to-book ratio (PB) of 2.21, lower than 84.84% of the time over the past five years, indicating strong valuation attractiveness [3] Group 3: Export Controls and Market Dynamics - Since 2023, China has implemented export controls on various rare metals, leading to significant price increases for most of these metals [4] - The demand for rare earth materials in domestic sectors such as new energy vehicles and air conditioning is expected to grow at rates of 37% and 19%, respectively, by 2025 [4] - The domestic rare earth market may be entering a destocking phase, with overseas price increases likely to drive domestic prices up [4] Group 4: Top Holdings in Rare Metal Index - The top ten weighted stocks in the rare metal index include Salt Lake Co., Northern Rare Earth, and others, accounting for 54.9% of the index [4] - The individual weightings of these stocks vary, with Salt Lake Co. at 9.04% and Northern Rare Earth at 8.25% [6]

Summary of Zhongmin Resources Conference Call Industry and Company Overview - The conference call pertains to Zhongmin Resources, focusing on the lithium and copper sectors, with significant developments in their operations and market strategies [2][3][4][5]. Key Points and Arguments Lithium Sector Developments - Expected shipment volume for lithium carbonate and spodumene is over 40,000 tons in 2025, with the lithium battery segment becoming a crucial performance support starting in 2024 [2][3]. - The company is implementing cost-reduction measures for lithium carbonate production, including the commissioning of optical-electrical sorting equipment in Zimbabwe, which is anticipated to lower costs by approximately 5,000 RMB per ton [2][6][8]. - The total production cost is projected to be under 70,000 RMB per ton, with production costs around 50,000 RMB per ton [9]. Copper Projects Progress - The copper project in Zambia is progressing well, with product output expected by mid-2026 [5]. - The Namibia copper smelting plant is set to close in Q3 2025, with a rotary kiln already on-site and expected to produce by Q4 2025 [5]. Cost Management and Production Lines - The company has two flexible production lines in Jiangxi, with a 25,000-ton line undergoing renovation expected to complete in 2025, aimed at further cost reduction [7][8]. - The company is responding to Zimbabwe's planned ban on lithium concentrate exports by developing on-site lithium sulfate processing, which could significantly reduce costs and improve logistics [9][10]. Market Conditions and Future Outlook - The lithium market is currently under pressure due to price declines, but this presents opportunities for cost reduction [3][4]. - The company maintains a multi-metal strategy, with plans to increase copper production capacity from 50,000 tons to 100,000 tons over the next five years [4][16]. - The small metals segment has shown rapid growth, with revenues increasing from over 100 million RMB in 2019 to 1.4 billion RMB in 2024, indicating a positive market outlook [16]. Strategic Positioning - Zhongmin Resources has shifted focus from external geological exploration to enhancing its own mining reserves and seeking quality mineral resources, particularly in Africa [17]. - The company aims to strengthen its influence in the rare metals market, particularly in rubidium and strontium, by increasing production capacity and planning for long-term development [18]. Additional Important Insights - The company has a unique geological exploration background, which supports its multi-metal strategy and resource acquisition capabilities [15]. - The integration of fire and wet processing methods for product development is underway, with a total investment of approximately 200 million USD for the wet processing segment [4][13]. - The company has set ambitious targets, including achieving 100,000 tons of copper, 100,000 tons of aluminum, and 1 billion RMB in profits from the small metals segment [16]. This summary encapsulates the critical developments and strategic directions of Zhongmin Resources as discussed in the conference call, highlighting their operational advancements, market conditions, and future growth plans.