Xinda Securities·2026-01-17 11:26Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the environmental protection industry, consistent with the previous rating [2]. Core Insights - Environmental companies are actively expanding into upstream mining sectors to create a second growth curve, leveraging synergies between resource control and environmental services [3][18]. - The integration of environmental and mining operations is expected to enhance resource security, optimize costs, and improve compliance with environmental regulations [18]. - The report highlights specific companies such as GaoNeng Environment, BeiJieTe, and LongJing Environment as key players in this strategic shift towards mining [19][20][25]. Market Performance - As of January 16, the environmental sector saw a 0.3% increase, outperforming the broader market, which declined by 0.45% [10]. - Sub-sectors within the environmental industry showed varied performance, with water treatment and environmental equipment sectors performing well, while air treatment and resource recovery sectors faced declines [13][16]. Industry Dynamics - Recent regulatory developments include the issuance of guidelines for the recycling and utilization of used batteries from electric vehicles, aimed at establishing a comprehensive management system [29]. - The report discusses the importance of industrial green microgrid construction as a means to promote low-carbon transitions in industrial energy use [30]. Company Announcements - GaoNeng Environment announced the acquisition of a 45.2% stake in three mining companies, gaining exploration rights to several gold mines with a total proven gold content of 4,474 kg [19]. - BeiJieTe has secured mining rights for copper and lithium in Xinjiang, aligning with national policies promoting ecological restoration and green development [20][21]. - LongJing Environment is focusing on green mining and new energy equipment, leveraging its relationship with Zijin Mining to enhance its project capabilities [25]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that the "14th Five-Year Plan" will sustain high demand for energy conservation and environmental protection, with water and waste incineration sectors expected to see stable profitability [53]. - Key recommendations include companies like HanLan Environment, XingRong Environment, and HongCheng Environment, with additional attention on companies such as WangNeng Environment and JinYuan Co [53].