Jingmen, 8 July 2026—GEM officially launched its 2026 Fresh Graduate Elite Training Program at the Jingmen Industrial Park on July 5, 2026. Dr. Zhang Kun, Senior Deputy General Manager of GEM, President of the Central Research Institute, and General Manager of the Jingmen Industrial Park, delivered the opening address.

More than 180 newly recruited graduates gathered in Jingmen to mark the beginning of their careers with GEM. Recruited from renowned universities in China and abroad, they represent a wide range of disciplines, including materials science, metallurgy, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and management.

Their arrival injects new energy to the company, reinforcing GEM’s commitment to talent development and supporting its ambition to become a world-class leader in the green and low-carbon industry.

▲ Scene from the GEM 2026 Fresh Graduate Elite Training Program Opening Ceremony

Before the opening ceremony, the new graduates completed military training and an orientation program organized by the company. Through discipline, teamwork, and shared experience, they took their first steps in transitioning from university students to members of the GEM family.

At Jingmen, the birthplace of GEM’s circular economy, the participants embraced the challenges of their new journey with enthusiasm and determination, laying a strong foundation for their future careers with the company.

The 2026 Fresh Graduate Elites embarked on an immersive journey through GEM’s circular economy value chain, spanning “Urban Mines – Circular Regeneration – High-End Manufacturing – Green Future.”

Beginning at the National “Urban Mining” Museum, the participants visited the National Engineering Research Center for Electronic Waste Recycling and the Key Laboratory of National Energy Metal Resources and New Materials, where they gained firsthand insight into GEM’s philosophy of “Limited Resources, Unlimited Recycling,” and its world-class innovation capabilities.

They then toured several of GEM’s core production facilities, including the Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries & Battery Scrap Resource Recycling Center, the Electrolytic Nickel Manufacturing Center, the Tungsten Resource Recycling Center, the Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese Ternary Raw Material Remanufacturing Center, the Ultra-High-Nickel Ternary Precursor Manufacturing Center, and the High-Nickel Cathode Material Manufacturing Center.

Throughout the tour, they witnessed how critical mineral resources are transformed through efficient recycling into advanced materials for the new energy industry, experiencing firsthand GEM’s commitment to turning waste into valuable resources through circular innovation.

▲ 2026 Fresh Graduate Elites visit the National Urban Mines Museum

On behalf of Professor Xu Kaihua, Founder and Chairman of GEM, Dr. Zhang Kun delivered an opening address titled “Setting Sail for a Green Future.” He first expressed his gratitude to the participants’ alma maters and families for nurturing their growth and supporting them on their journey to GEM. He also thanked the new graduates for choosing GEM as the starting point of their professional career.

“GEM thanks you for choosing us and we will not let you down,” Dr. Zhang Kun said.

▲ Dr. Zhang Kun, Senior Deputy General Manager of GEM, President of the Central Research Institute, and General Manager of the Jingmen Industrial Park, delivers the opening address

As a veteran who joined GEM as a fresh graduate 11 years ago, Dr. Zhang shared four pieces of career advice drawn from his own professional journey. He encouraged participants to maintain a beginner's mindset and build a strong foundation at the grassroots level. He also urged them to embrace continuous learning, learn humbly from experienced colleagues, and cultivate a strong sense of responsibility toward the nation and society. His remarks resonated strongly with the new graduates, earning warm applause from the audience.

Subsequently, Dr. Zhang Kun delivered the first session of the onboarding program for all new employees, titled “Green Mission – Building a World-Class Enterprise.” Beginning with GEM's entrepreneurial journey, which was inspired by a vision of green development, he systematically outlined the company's strategic direction amid intensifying global competition for critical minerals and the accelerating restructuring of industrial and supply chains. He highlighted GEM’s long-term commitment to urban mining, continuous breakthroughs in circular technologies, and the development of a fully integrated value chain for nickel, cobalt, tungsten, and new energy materials.

Dr. Zhang Kun noted that over the past 25 years, GEM has remained committed to its industrial philosophy of “Limited Resources, Unlimited Recycling.” Through continuous innovation in circular recycling, the company has enhanced the sustainable supply of critical minerals while supporting the global transition to clean energy. He emphasized that this long-standing commitment underpins GEM's confidence in building a world-class enterprise and represents the historic mission that every new generation of GEM employees is called upon to carry forward.

During the interactive session, Dr. Zhang Kun posed a series of questions on industry trends and technological frontiers, encouraging the participants to think critically and engage actively in the discussion. The discussion focused on topics such as how to address China’s shortage of critical mineral resources, whether ternary materials will eventually be replaced by lithium iron phosphate (LFP), and whether enterprises or universities should take the lead in technological innovation. The participants shared thoughtful perspectives based on their academic backgrounds and observations from the site, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.

▲ 2026 Fresh Graduate Elites actively participate in the discussion

At the subsequent sharing session, outstanding employees’ representatives shared their personal experiences and insights on topics such as role transition, adapting to a new environment, adjusting to the workplace, and continuous learning and professional growth.

From research and development to intellectual property management, each story illustrated a unique growth journey—from a newcomer to a seasoned professional—providing the participants with valuable perspectives on career development. At GEM, “Investing in talent is investing in the future” is more than just a slogan; it is a long-standing commitment reflected in the growth journey of every generation of employees.

▲ Scene from the senior colleagues’ sharing session

At the same time, Chairman Xu Kaihua joined the 2026 Elites virtually, connecting with participants from more than 70 universities across China. He warmly welcomed the outstanding young professionals to GEM and encouraged them to devote themselves to the urban mining and new energy circular industry.

“Gallop forward, set sail on the new journey of green circulation; grow strong and create a brilliant life of infinite possibilities,” he said.

Inspired by his remarks, the participants reflected on the significance of the resource recycling industry in today's world and shared their aspirations for contributing to green development. Together, they pledged to become GEM's “New Green Partners,” committed to advancing a more sustainable future through innovation and dedication.

In the coming weeks, the 2026 Fresh Graduate Elites will embark on a comprehensive 50-day training program. The program begins with intensive training in Jingmen, where participants will strengthen their understanding of GEM's corporate culture, key policies, and core businesses. They will also visit the company's industrial parks in Wuxi, Taixing, Shenzhen, and Wuhan to gain firsthand insight into GEM's nationwide operations and innovation capabilities.

The program also includes an outdoor team-building camp in Wuhan to strengthen resilience and foster teamwork, followed by a 30-day on-the-job internship that will immerse participants in frontline operations and provide hands-on experience by integrating classroom learning with workplace practice.

Throughout the program, participants will learn from GEM's senior management and business leaders, alongside industry experts who will share insights into emerging technologies and industry trends. The program will conclude with a final presentation at the Jingmen Industrial Park before participants begin their careers across GEM's operations worldwide, contributing to GEM’s green and low-carbon development.

The year 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of GEM's founding and a significant milestone in the company's journey toward becoming a world-class green industrial leader. At the 2026 Annual Strategy Seminar on Incremental Growth and Operational Excellence, Chairman Xu Kaihua reaffirmed the company's commitment to talent development by stating, “Investing in talent is investing in the future. Invest in people first, then invest in production capacity.”

As GEM continues its journey toward becoming a world-class enterprise, the 2026 Fresh Graduate Elites will play an important role in advancing green development, driving innovation in the low-carbon era, and shaping the future of the new energy industry.