HIGH PROFILE
China’s top mine developer
In the first of our new series of articles based on meetings
with the key Chinese mining services, equipment
& technology providers, Paul Moore caught up with
Jianzhong Zhang, Managing Director of JCHX Mining
Management operating subsidiary Jimond Mining (JMMC).
JCHX is a top mining contractor in China but has also been
increasingly successful in the international market
Q How has the mining contracting and mining
development market within China developed and
changed in recent years?
A The requirement of basic metals for social
development is essential and China’s mining
industry as such has continued to grow to meet
this demand. That said a change is that the
Chinese government has been showing much
greater concern with regard to environmental
controls “to keep the green mountain and clear
water” as they are in the face of increased mining
activity. Using the latest methods and
technologies in the Chinese mining industry helps
the most advanced Chinese contractors to
maintain environmental standards, and JCHX is
one of them. It is a challenge to adopt the new
and give up the old but all of the premium
Chinese mining contractors have recognised the
importance of environment protection.
Q Would you say the focus on safety as well as
environmental sustainability in mining has
increased?
A It has absolutely changed across the whole
mining industry in China in relation to both safety
and the environment. It can be described as
happening on three levels: the first level is from
the government with new regulations and laws to
not allow mines to be developed until a proper
safety and environmental evaluation has taken
place to help prevent any incidents during actual
production. The second level is at the ownership
level of mining, where they are compelled to
invest more in safety and environmental
protection, otherwise they are not permitted to
start production. And the third level is for the
mine workers & mining contractors. Contractors
like JCHX are enhancing their training for
employees both at home and abroad to instil in
them importance of safety and environmental
protection. All employees are better
understanding the importance of mining industry
safety for them and for their families. JCHX is
spending much more on safety and environment
controls for the duration of its mining contracts
and this is all covered by our standardised systems.
Q Is there still a large market for “lower cost,
lower value” Chinese contractors?
56 International Mining | AUGUST 2019
A This really reflects the mining situation years
ago. JCHX as an example is one of the top mining
service providers and we know that growth of the
mining industry in China requires us to
continuously improve capabilities on safety,
quality and passing on reasonable contracting
costs. JCHX has signed contracts with and become
one of the ten key global accounts with the
largest underground mining equipment suppliers
Epiroc and Sandvik, which goes to show we have
realised remaining reliant on the traditional
Chinese concept of mining construction has no
place going forward. We believe the period of
“lower cost, lower value” has already been
consigned to the history books. But that said, we
believe that Chinese contractor knowhow and
hard work can still give them more flexibility on
project economics without compromising on
quality. The practical combination of high
technology and economics helps to provide mine
owners with more profit margin.
Q Shaft sinking is highly specialised, are there any
recent examples of JCHX shaft sinking work that
you would single out as being especially
challenging and that you are proud of as a
company in being able to meet these challenges?
A JCHX’s capability on shaft sinking has made
more and more progress over recent years. One
big shaft under construction for the Shaling gold
mine in Shandong province will be over 1,580 m
deep and another 1,526 m shaft was completed
two years ago in Yunnan province, and on that
Jianzhong Zhang, Managing Director of JCHX
operating subsidiary Jimond Mining (JMMC)
project what was then a new sinking record was
achieved.
Q Can you also single out any recent contract
mining project examples that JCHX is particularly
proud of as a company?
A The Kamoa copper mine in DRC is a good
example to show JCHX’s capabilities. Kamoa is the
third biggest copper mine in DRC and we have
successfully completed the first stage contract by
developing two twin declines over 3,000 m long.
Recently we have signed another five year
contract for underground development of 50,000
m with a contract value of $288 million. We have
adopted all worldclass equipment and standards
to operate our works at Kamoa and have created
more than 600 jobs for the local people. This
project has helped to raise the profile of JCHX much
more in the global mining construction business.
Q Who are the other premium mining contractors
you are mainly competing with in China and how
do you differentiate your offering against theirs?
View from the top of the Kamoa-Kakula copper mine boxcut