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UN Framework Classification for Resources makes significant step towards practical application in China

UN Framework Classification for Resources makes significant step towards practical application in China

Opencast mine in Shanxi Province, China

The Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China has a long-standing cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to promote the harmonization, development and connectivity of global solid mineral and petroleum classification standards. 

The United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) is a universally acceptable and internationally applicable scheme for the sustainable management of all energy and mineral resources. The Framework also assists regional and national authorities in establishing and maintaining an inventory of primary and secondary raw materials endowment. Since 1997, Chinese experts have actively participated in the development of UNFC, which has been used as one of the important references for the 1999 edition of the China solid mineral resources and reserves classification standard. 

In 2018, the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, UNECE and a team of experts from the UNECE Expert Group on Resource Management jointly developed Bridging Documents between China's resources and reserves classification systems for minerals and petroleum and UNFC and then collaborated on revising them in 2021. 

Updates on the “Bridging Document between China National Standard of the Classification for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (GB/T 17766-2020 and UNFC’ and the ‘Bridging Document between China National Standard of Classification for Petroleum Resources/Reserves (GB/T 19492-2020) and UNFC'  were reported by Mr. Ju Jianhua, Director General, Mineral Resources Protection and Supervision Department, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, at the 13th Session of the Expert Group of Resource Management and supported by international experts. The Expert Group supported the endorsement of the Chinese UNFC bridging documents and requested to post them on the UNFC website. The Expert Group also appreciated the Chinese delegation's efforts in building bridging documents that harmonize instructions and guidelines on resource management and classification between China’s national standards and UNFC. The development of these Bridging Documents will help promote the sustainable development of energy resources and encourage broader international collaboration.  

“The Bridging Documents are an important milestone in the global adoption of UNFC”, said Executive Secretary of UNECE Olga Algayerova. “I thank all the leading experts from China and the Expert Group on Resource Management who have worked diligently to produce these documents.”  

“The Bridging Documents will help promote in-depth exchanges and cooperation between China and UNECE in the field of sustainable energy, advance implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and extend international cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative”, said Ju Jianhua, Director-General, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China. “We look forward to strengthened cooperation with UNECE to promote connectivity of mineral resource standards among countries and to boost sustainable development in the world's energy resources sector”. 

The Ministry now plans to develop case studies to test the Bridging Documents.  

Find more information on the UNECE website.  

Countries: China

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

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