Attention, vanadium, lithium and cobalt bosses! Your mine is now under "national strategic control"

1. Policy background

On June 15, 2026, the "Regulations on the Implementation of the Mineral Resources Law" was officially implemented, and a catalog of 36 national-level strategic minerals was also released simultaneously.25 metal minerals including vanadium, titanium, lithium, cobalt, and nickel are officially included in strategic control.

This policy change is directly related to the life and death of relevant mining companies.

2. Core measures for strategic mineral management and control

1. Transfer of approval authority

New regulations are clear: New mining rights for strategic minerals will be established, and the approval authority will be transferred toMinistry of Natural Resources, the provincial competent authorities no longer have the authority to approve.

This means that if private enterprises want to obtain the mining rights of a new lithium or cobalt mine, they need to go to Beijing to go through the procedures, and the time cycle and approval difficulty will increase significantly.

2. Total mining volume control

The country will uniformly issue strategic mineral resourcesAnnual mining total indicator. Does the company want to expand production? The need to apply for quotas from the state is no longer a matter for companies to decide independently.

3. Export review system

Some strategic mineral exports requireJoint approval by the Ministry of Commerce, some varieties may even be subject to export quota management.

4. Origin reserve mechanism

For major producing areas of strategic minerals, the state has established a strategic reserve system, which may affect the product flow and sales pricing of enterprises.

3. Private enterprises with existing mining rights: Is this a crisis or an opportunity?

1. Existing mineral rights will not be affected

The regulations clearly stipulate:Expired mining licenses remain valid, will not be automatically invalidated or withdrawn due to being included in the strategic control list.

2. Renewal and transfer conditions are stricter

strategic mineral rightsRenewal and transferStricter approval conditions will apply:

• Renewal requires proof of compliance with national total mining volume control requirements
• Transfers are subject to more stringent qualification review
• Violations of laws and regulations may directly result in the license being revoked.

3. Increased scarcity is a positive

The stricter the control, the fewer new entrants and the higher the scarcity of existing mineral rights. From a market perspective, private enterprises that already have strategic mineral rights may experience an appreciation in the value of their mineral rights.

4. Lawyer’s perspective: response strategies for strategic mineral companies

1. Check the status of mineral rights immediately

Confirm the validity period of the mining license, mineral classification, and approval authority level. Remediate problems promptly, don’t wait until renewal to discover them.

2. Compliance management is the lifeline

Under the control of strategic minerals, any violations of laws and regulations may be magnified.Failure to meet environmental protection standards, safety accidents, and cross-border miningProblems such as this may directly lead to the revocation of mining rights.

3. Actively align with national policies

Pay attention to the national strategic mineral exploration and development plan and total indicator information, actively apply for it, and become a "compliant mining enterprise" in line with national industrial policies.

4. Be cautious when trading mineral rights

The transfer of strategic mineral rights requires stricter approval. Professional lawyers must be hired to conduct due diligence before the transaction to avoid being trapped if the transaction does not go through.

5. Complete list of 36 strategic minerals (for reference)

Category Minerals------------Energy Minerals Petroleum, natural gas, shale gas, coal (adjusted according to the latest catalog) Metal Minerals (black) Iron, chromium, manganese Metal Minerals (non-ferrous) Copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, tin, antimony, molybdenum, lithium, rare earth metal minerals (rare and precious) Gold, silver, platinum group non-metal minerals phosphorus, potash, boron, graphite, fluorspar New mineral speciesVanadium, titanium(Added in June 2026)

6. Enlightenment from private enterprises

Suggestions for matters----Verify whether the mineral rights involve strategic minerals, complete formalities in a timely manner, operate in compliance, strictly adhere to the bottom line of environmental protection and safety, and eliminate illegal mining. Renewal planning. Prepare renewal material transfer transactions 6-12 months in advance. Hire professional lawyers for due diligence.