The spring breeze welcomed distinguished guests and heralded a new journey! On March 6, 2026, during the successful convening of the National Two Sessions, Liu Cheng, Chairman of China ENFI Engineering Corporation Limited (hereinafter “China ENFI”), along with Party Committee member and Vice General Manager An Jing and their delegation, visited GEM’s Jingmen Industrial Park for an exchange. Professor Xu Kaihua, Chairman of GEM, along with GEM’s Joint Ultimate Controller and Director Wang Min, warmly received the guests. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the two sides officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement, marking a new chapter in the integration of central enterprises and private enterprises in the fields of critical mineral resources and the new energy industry.

GEM Executive Team Warmly Welcomes Delegation from China ENFI

The rising tide is unstoppable! This represents the proactive responsibility of the national team in the industry and the leading private enterprises responding to the nation’s strategic needs. Amid complex international geopolitical developments, the global supply chain for critical mineral resources is being rapidly restructured. To meet significant national development needs and respond to new global economic and trade challenges, in line with the “15th Five-Year Plan” on strengthening energy resource security and enhancing the autonomy and control of industrial chains, and to implement the government work report during the 2026 National Two Sessions regarding accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, industrial and supply chain development, and green low-carbon growth, GEM and China ENFI are leveraging their respective advantages to closely cooperate. Together, they aim to build a more resilient global supply chain system to safeguard the nation’s critical mineral resources.

Where Rivers Converge, Momentum Forms Naturally! This marks a strong alliance and deep partnership based on the industrial and value chains. As the “national team” in engineering design, China ENFI boasts profound expertise in world-class laterite nickel High-Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) technology, extensive overseas engineering design experience, and the international credibility of a leading central enterprise. GEM, as a leading enterprise in the circular economy and a key player in the new energy materials sector, possesses comprehensive global industrial operation capabilities, vibrant innovation, and advantages in the global circular economy industry. Leveraging this signing as an opportunity, both parties will engage in comprehensive cooperation across six key areas: the development of critical mineral resources such as laterite nickel, R&D of core technologies, industrial equipment coordination, talent cultivation, intellectual property, and exchange mechanisms. This collaboration aims to achieve full-chain synergy from resource development to new energy materials application, realizing deep integration between central and private enterprises.

China ENFl & GEM Signing Ceremony of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement

At the signing ceremony, Chairman Xu Kaihua delivered a passionate speech, expressing high expectations and strong confidence in this cooperation. He highly praised China ENFI’s outstanding position in the history of China’s non-ferrous metal industry, likening it to a condensed history of the sector. He noted: “From domestic projects to overseas ones, countless outstanding designs have been produced by ENFI, especially in the field of laterite nickel hydrometallurgy, where ENFI has made pioneering contributions.” He emphasized that in the face of increasingly intense global competition for critical mineral resources, working alone is no longer sufficient. We must form strong alliances with “national team” enterprises like China ENFI! Chairman Xu Kaihua outlined three core significances of the GEM-ENFI cooperation:

First, learning with humility. ENFI possesses profound engineering expertise, a strong talent base, and global credibility, making it a key player in the national team; GEM must humbly learn from ENFI, embrace central enterprises, and achieve leapfrog development.

Second, forming strategic alliances. GEM and China ENFI exhibit extraordinary synergy in industrial coordination, resource integration, technological innovation, and global layout. By combining their strengths, they form a globally competitive alliance model, enhancing their core competitiveness in the field of critical minerals and contributing to the nation’s global strategic competitiveness.

Third, active contribution. GEM will leverage the advantages of a private enterprise—its mechanisms, innovative vitality, and global industrial layout—to fully commit to the partnership, working shoulder to shoulder with China ENFI to safeguard national critical mineral resources and contribute to global new energy development.

Chairman Xu Kaihua of GEM Delivering Remarks at the Signing Ceremony

China ENFI Chairman Liu Cheng delivered a heartfelt and emphatic speech, reflecting the broad vision of a central enterprise and a new global development outlook. He first expressed sincere gratitude for the warm reception and sincere treatment from Chairman Xu Kaihua and highly praised GEM’s remarkable achievements over the past 20-plus years. He noted that GEM and China ENFI share aligned development philosophies, highly compatible engineering and technological cultures, and have common development goals with broad collaboration potential. Chairman Liu also pointed out that with the convening of the National Two Sessions and the launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan, GEM’s exemplary innovation and industrial integration resonate closely with national strategic objectives. He expressed great optimism for the future cooperation between the two parties, confident that the joint efforts of these leading enterprises will better safeguard the nation’s critical mineral resources.

Chairman Liu Cheng of China ENFI Delivering Remarks at the Signing Ceremony

Following the signing ceremony, the teams from both sides immediately engaged in technical exchanges focused on key issues in laterite nickel resource development. They conducted in-depth discussions on technical approaches, engineering practices, industrial challenges, and future technological development directions, reaching broad consensus. This laid a solid foundation for subsequent implementation of their cooperation.

In-depth Communication on Strengthening Strategic Cooperation

Chairman Liu and his delegation also visited key national-level innovation platforms and core production sites at GEM’s Jingmen Industrial Park, including the National Engineering Research Center for E-waste Recycling, the Key Laboratory of National Energy Metal Resources and New Materials, the Recycling and Treatment Center for Retired Lithium Batteries and Battery Waste, and the Strategic Tungsten Resource Recycling Center. Chairman Liu highly praised GEM’s comprehensive innovation system, leading technological capabilities, and advanced intelligent manufacturing equipment, further strengthening mutual trust for deepened collaboration.

Chairman Liu Cheng of China ENFI (second from right) Visiting GEM's National “Urban Mining” Museum

Strong Alliance, New Journey Begins!The strategic cooperation between GEM and China ENFI represents a vivid example of central enterprises leading and private enterprises empowering deep integration, and it is an important strategic initiative leveraging combined strengths to serve global new energy development. Going forward, both parties will use this signing as an opportunity to fully leverage their respective advantages and deepen comprehensive cooperation in areas such as efficient extraction of laterite nickel, R&D of new energy materials, and global deployment of critical mineral resources. This collaboration will inject strong Chinese momentum into the global green energy transition and jointly build a brilliant future in the global critical mineral resources and new energy industries.

The reception was attended by Dr. Zhang Kun, GEM Senior Deputy General Manager; Dr. Wang Yaning, Assistant General Manager; Dr. Bie Chuanyu, Assistant General Manager; Dr. Zeng Yong, Assistant General Manager, among other leaders.