Jointly prepared by MIIT, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the plan stipulated a target of 12 million tons as the output of major nonferrous metals by 2015.

According to the plan, the ratio of recycled copper, aluminum, and lead will be 40 percent, 30 percent and 40 percent respectively of the total yearly output of these metals in 2015.

During the 12th Five-Year Plan, the country will further optimize the industrial outlay of recycled nonferrous metal resources.

Provinces like Zhenjiang, Guangdong, Shandong, Tianjin and Jiangxi will focus on the development of recycled copper; Chongqing, Shanghai and Hainan will prioritize on the development of recycled aluminum; and, the development of recycled lead will be assigned to Anhui, Jiangsu and Hubei.

By the end of 2015, China is expected to set up companies capable of producing 100,000 tons each of recycled copper and aluminum per year, and 50,000 tons of recycled lead.

Currently, the investment for producing recycled nonferrous metal resources is adequate, and according to an industry analyst, in future, capital should be injected in upgrading and innovating technologies.

The government will work out entry standards for new companies in the nonferrous metal industry, and tailor policies to support industrial mergers and acquisitions.