China will tighten oversight of new copper and alumina projects to curb irrational investment and disorderly expansion from 2026 to 2030, the nation’s top economic planner said on Friday.

In an article on its website, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said local governments must strengthen feasibility studies for major projects and align their approvals with national industrial policy.

The guidance targets copper and alumina, industries the commission said are key to economic and military development but whose development must take into account "differences in regional industrial bases, resource endowments and environmental capacity."

China will also encourage mergers and restructuring led by large firms to increase industry concentration and competitiveness, the NDRC said. In addition, Beijing will continue to support overseas mining investment in its next five-year plan.

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of copper and alumina and has repeatedly warned of the risks of overcapacity and unchecked investments in the industry.

From January to November of 2025, China produced 13.3 million metric tons of refined copper, up 9.8 percent from a year earlier, on track for record refined copper output in 2025.

Alumina output in China reached 84.7 million tons in the same period and was also likely to set a record in 2025. (Reuters)