What is the specific implementation path of the industry's "anti-intensification"? China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association responds.

On October 29th, at the press conference on the operation of the non-ferrous metal industry in the first three quarters of 2025 organized by the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, Chen Xuesen, member of the Party Committee and Vice President of the Association, also the spokesperson, Lin Ruhai, Deputy Secretary General and Director of the Policy Research Office and Planning Research Office, and Duan Shaofu, Deputy Secretary General and Director of the Heavy Metals Department and Mineral Resources Office, answered questions from reporters and business representatives. Duan Shaofu stated that the non-ferrous metal industry is indeed facing challenges of low processing fees and intensified competition, and "anti-inward spiral" has become a key proposition to promote high-quality development of the industry. The Association responded from four aspects based on the actual operation of the industry. Firstly, currently, except for electrolytic aluminum and some non-ferrous metal mining, there is severe "inward spiral" competition in various fields such as non-ferrous metal smelting and processing, with the metal extraction process being particularly noticeable. According to statistics from various branches of the Association, the operating rates of industries such as lithium, silicon, molybdenite iron, recycled copper, recycled lead, and antimony have been below 60% this year, and industries such as magnesium smelting, titanium sponge, tin smelting, lead smelting, nickel smelting, tungsten, and copper processing have operating rates below 70%, with the operating rate of copper smelting industry also dropping to 87%. Secondly, the harm of industry "inward spiral" cannot be ignored. It not only erodes the foundation of high-quality development of the industry, leading to insufficient innovation input and causing waste of investment. At the same time, "inward spiral" weakens the bargaining power of enterprises in raw material procurement, narrows the overall profit margin of the industry, and affects sustainable development. Thirdly, in terms of "anti-inward spiral", relevant state departments have taken a series of measures. For example, this year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments have jointly issued implementation plans for high-quality development of copper, alumina, gold, etc., aiming to optimize the industrial structure and curb low-level repeated construction; the National Development and Reform Commission has issued a notice on the implementation of policies related to standardizing investment attraction behavior to regulate local investment attraction behavior and promote fair competition. These policies have shown initial results, as of September, the fixed asset investment growth rate of non-ferrous metal smelting and processing has decreased from 23% at the beginning of the year to 0.4% currently, indicating effective control of overheated investment in the industry. Regarding the implementation path of "anti-inward spiral", the Association suggests implementing targeted measures: first, drawing from the experience of electrolytic aluminum, considering setting a production capacity "ceiling" for bulk metals such as copper, lead, and zinc, and strictly controlling the addition of production capacity; second, enhancing concentration through mergers and acquisitions to enhance control over the industrial chain for strategic metals; third, while maintaining full competition in deep processing industries, guiding enterprises to transform towards individualized, high value-added directions to avoid homogenized competition. In conclusion, "anti-inward spiral" requires collaborative efforts from the government, the Association, and enterprises. The Association will actively promote industry self-discipline and the implementation of policies to help the industry move towards high-quality development.