China will continue its reduction policy in mineral exports to decrease waste of resources and avoid fierce competition among export enterprises.

"The reduction is an inevitable move in reforming the growth pattern of the country's mineral exports," said Chen Haoran, chairman of China Chamber of Commerce of Metal, Mineral and Chemicals Importers and Exporters (CCCMC).

Chen told 450 participants, including 200 foreign experts, entrepreneurs and governmental officials, at yesterday's Chinese Industrial Minerals Conference that China can no longer rely on a growth pattern that exports minerals in quantity instead of quality.

"The practice used to cause a waste of resources, environmental pollution and even international trade friction," he said.

His words were echoed by Zhang Zhan, executive president of the China Non-metallic Minerals Industry Association, saying some mines have little awareness of environmental protection.

"Some local governments and enterprises pay a lot of attention to resource exploitation but little to environmental management," Zhang said.

China tried the export-reducing policy last year by decreasing the mineral and mineral fuel exports' share of the total national export volume from 25 percent in 1980 to 2 percent in 2004, Chen said.

Between 1994 and 2004, China's fluorite exports decreased 39.12 percent, talc by 45.51 percent and magnesia by 48.44 percent.

The export of these resources has led to a trend of reduction while some other resources have also seen similar trends, Chen said.

"Gone are the days of cheap mineral exports from China," he said.

"But when we assess the trend, we do not suggest that China should reduce or stop the export of minerals," he said.

CCCMC insiders said China should strengthen the unified planning for production and export of some minerals that have a competitive edge to keep an overall balance among reserves, production and export.

In addition, it should maintain or even increase exports and market shares of some minerals to meet demand, especially for those with high competitiveness.

China's coal, for example, is leading the world in reserves and production, maintaining a share for export while satisfying domestic needs.

At present, China's coal exports account for only 10 percent of the world's total, meaning there is plenty of room for export expansion.

"But regional planning needs to be improved when implementing the principle of reduction," Chen said.

In central and western regions, some high energy-consuming and high pollution resource industries are still using up a considerable share of minerals within local economies.

(China Daily September 20, 2005)