Dynamic progress made in Nandan critical metals pilot zone

In the chilly embrace of winter, the Nandan Key Metals High-Quality Development Zone in Hechi city, in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is bustling with vitality.

At the construction site of the new plant of Nandan County Jilang Indium Co, heavy machinery roars and construction vehicles move in an orderly fashion. Soon, a state-of-the-art facility for the upgrading of technology and recycling of high-end indium will materialize.

It is poised to produce 100 tons of high-purity indium annually, potentially boosting the company's annual output value beyond the 10-billion-yuan ($1.4-billion) mark.

Since the launch of the pilot zone, Hechi has prioritized this as its "number one project". Through relentless efforts, a transformation blueprint characterized by high-end, intelligent, green, large-scale, and park-based development is rapidly becoming a vibrant reality.

The construction of the pilot zone is a pivotal move in reshaping Guangxi's non-ferrous and key metal industries. Known as the home of non-ferrous metals, Hechi plays a crucial role in this effort.

On Nov 14, 2025, the command for the construction of the pilot zone was established, accelerating environmental governance and industrial restructuring. By Dec 31, 939 of 1,192 environmental issues had been resolved.

With a focus on the efficient extraction of low-grade ores, high-purity metal preparation, and recycling, the Hechi branch of the collaborative innovation center for non-ferrous metal exploration and resource utilization is being expedited.

AI technology is being used to empower the sector, marking a new era of industrial transformation. As key green projects advance, the pilot zone continues to inject sustainable energy into the industry. Hechi is committed to creating a business-friendly environment that supports the high-quality development of the sector.