China’s 2027 Plan: 10% Rise in Gold Resources and AI Mining

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with eight other government departments, has unveiled a targeted action plan to reshape the nation’s gold industry over the 2025–2027 period. The plan lays out a comprehensive vision focused on upgrading industrial capacity, accelerating technological adoption, improving environmental performance, and strengthening worker and operational safety across the sector.

At the center of the strategy are four strategic pillars: high-end development to elevate the value chain; intelligent operations leveraging digital tools and artificial intelligence; environmental sustainability to advance green mining practices; and enhanced safety standards to reduce risk across exploration, extraction, processing and logistics. These priorities reflect a coordinated approach to modernize China’s gold sector while balancing economic growth with ecological and social responsibilities.

The plan sets measurable goals to guide implementation. Authorities aim for a 5–10% expansion in recoverable gold resources and target more than 5% growth in combined gold and silver output during the plan period. A notable structural shift envisaged by the plan is the consolidation of capacity into very large-scale mining operations: facilities capable of processing 500 or more tonnes per day are projected to account for roughly 70% of the industry’s total processing capacity. This concentration is expected to improve efficiency, raise technical standards, and support greater investment in advanced equipment and automation.

Technological breakthrough and digital transformation are emphasized throughout the document. The plan promotes integration of AI, big data analytics, remote sensing and industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions to drive smarter exploration, optimized mine scheduling, predictive maintenance, and real‑time environmental monitoring. By adopting these technologies, mining companies can reduce downtime, lower costs, improve resource recovery rates, and enhance transparency of operational and environmental performance.

Environmental sustainability is a core component of the policy. The action plan prioritizes green mining techniques, stricter pollution controls, water conservation measures and rehabilitation of mine sites. These initiatives aim to minimize the ecological footprint of mining activities, ensure compliance with environmental regulations, and promote best practices for waste management and tailings governance. Strengthening environmental oversight and encouraging cleaner production methods will be essential to meet the plan’s sustainability objectives.

Safety and risk management are also elevated in the plan’s agenda. Enhanced safety standards and more rigorous supervision are intended to reduce workplace accidents, improve emergency response capabilities and enforce higher operational discipline across the supply chain. The plan encourages wider adoption of automated and remote-controlled equipment where feasible, reducing personnel exposure in hazardous environments and supporting safer job conditions.

The strategic move reinforces China’s position in the global gold market. In 2024, China reported gold production of 377.24 tonnes and consumption of 985.31 tonnes. By targeting resource expansion, output growth and large-scale, technology-driven operations, the plan aims to strengthen domestic production capability and contribute to long-term industry resilience.

Implementation will require coordinated action from government agencies, state-owned enterprises, private sector participants and research institutions. Key areas for collaboration include investment in advanced processing and exploration technologies, workforce training for digital and environmentally focused skills, and development of regulatory frameworks that support innovation while safeguarding environmental and social outcomes.

Overall, the 2025–2027 action plan sets out an ambitious but structured pathway for transforming China’s gold industry into a more efficient, technologically advanced and environmentally responsible sector. If realized, the measures could modernize production, enhance resource stewardship and improve safety, aligning the industry more closely with contemporary standards for sustainable mining and industrial innovation.

China 2025–2027 Gold Industry Action Plan: Goals and Priorities