Development evaluation of Chinese overseas mining-related industrial parks

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of the development of overseas mining-related industrial parks, in order to provide a decision-making reference for promoting the high-quality development of Chinese overseas mining-related industrial parks. [Methods] Through field research, literature research, and expert questionnaires and discussions, this study examined the situation of Chinese overseas transfer of mining production and smelting capacity and the development characteristics of the 24 Chinese overseas mining industrial parks. The status quo of industrial park construction and development was qualitatively evaluated from five aspects: government certification, economic benefit, industrial park scale, industrial chain length, and social benefit. [Results] In the process of Chinese overseas mining development and production capacity transfer, a number of overseas mining industrial clusters have been formed, some of which have gradually developed into industrial parks. Most of the Chinese overseas mining-related industrial parks have been built by large and medium-sized private enterprises, and are usually jointly developed with the host country’s investors. Site selection generally tends to be close to the consumer market. Although with uneven development levels, the construction of the industrial parks has entered a period of rapid development. [Conclusion] Coastal mining industrial parks mainly based on foreign trade are still the trend of future development. The construction of overseas mining industrial clusters not only takes advantage of the opportunities to complement the industrial structure of China and foreign countries and meet the strong demand of resource countries, and the complementary space for carbon emissions, but also faces political, economic, social, and talent challenges. Thus, we should adhere to the concept of “a community with a shared future for mankind”, strengthen policy support and risk prevention and control for the construction of international mining-related industrial parks from the aspects of top-level design, policy guarantee, and scientific rating and evaluation, and promote the stability of the global mining industrial chain and supply chain.