ESG practices, mineral resources exploitation and value creation: insights from Chinese mining companies’ digital transformation

IntroductionIn the dynamic landscape of digital technologies, the crucial role of digital transformation in enhancing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance, especially concerning the utilization of mineral and fossil fuel resources, has become evident, significantly affecting corpo...

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Main Authors: Ying-Chieh Lin, Shao-Jun Liu, Li-Sen Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Environmental Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1503524/full
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author Ying-Chieh Lin
Shao-Jun Liu
Li-Sen Zhang
author_facet Ying-Chieh Lin
Shao-Jun Liu
Li-Sen Zhang
author_sort Ying-Chieh Lin
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionIn the dynamic landscape of digital technologies, the crucial role of digital transformation in enhancing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance, especially concerning the utilization of mineral and fossil fuel resources, has become evident, significantly affecting corporate value. This study aims to explore the relationship between ESG performance and corporate valuation in the Chinese mining industry (especially in high-pollution sectors), as well as the moderating role of digital transformation in this process.MethodsThis study employs a quantitative analysis method, utilizing panel data from Chinese mining companies and conducting regression analysis to examine the relationship between ESG performance, digital transformation, and corporate valuation. We construct a model that includes multiple variables such as resource utilization efficiency, corporate financial conditions, and environmental impact assessments to analyze the pathways through which digital transformation affects resource utilization efficiency and corporate valuation.ResultsThe study finds a significant positive correlation between ESG performance and corporate valuation, meaning that as mineral resource utilization efficiency improves, the market value of the company increases. Digital transformation plays a positive moderating role in this relationship, specifically by enhancing resource utilization efficiency through digital technologies, thereby strengthening ESG performance and ultimately driving up corporate value.DiscussionTherefore, companies should place more emphasis on digital transformation and integrate it with their ESG strategies to improve resource utilization efficiency, thereby enhancing their market competitiveness and long-term value.
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spelling doaj-art-7c8e5f82ac8249a9a2db276b63bb15ab2025-08-20T02:46:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2025-03-011310.3389/fenvs.2025.15035241503524ESG practices, mineral resources exploitation and value creation: insights from Chinese mining companies’ digital transformationYing-Chieh Lin0Shao-Jun Liu1Li-Sen Zhang2School of Civil, Commercial and Economic Law, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Civil, Commercial and Economic Law, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Business, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United StatesIntroductionIn the dynamic landscape of digital technologies, the crucial role of digital transformation in enhancing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance, especially concerning the utilization of mineral and fossil fuel resources, has become evident, significantly affecting corporate value. This study aims to explore the relationship between ESG performance and corporate valuation in the Chinese mining industry (especially in high-pollution sectors), as well as the moderating role of digital transformation in this process.MethodsThis study employs a quantitative analysis method, utilizing panel data from Chinese mining companies and conducting regression analysis to examine the relationship between ESG performance, digital transformation, and corporate valuation. We construct a model that includes multiple variables such as resource utilization efficiency, corporate financial conditions, and environmental impact assessments to analyze the pathways through which digital transformation affects resource utilization efficiency and corporate valuation.ResultsThe study finds a significant positive correlation between ESG performance and corporate valuation, meaning that as mineral resource utilization efficiency improves, the market value of the company increases. Digital transformation plays a positive moderating role in this relationship, specifically by enhancing resource utilization efficiency through digital technologies, thereby strengthening ESG performance and ultimately driving up corporate value.DiscussionTherefore, companies should place more emphasis on digital transformation and integrate it with their ESG strategies to improve resource utilization efficiency, thereby enhancing their market competitiveness and long-term value.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1503524/fullESG performancemineral resourcesfossil fueldigital transformationvalue enhancementmoderating effect
spellingShingle Ying-Chieh Lin
Shao-Jun Liu
Li-Sen Zhang
ESG practices, mineral resources exploitation and value creation: insights from Chinese mining companies’ digital transformation
Frontiers in Environmental Science
ESG performance
mineral resources
fossil fuel
digital transformation
value enhancement
moderating effect
title ESG practices, mineral resources exploitation and value creation: insights from Chinese mining companies’ digital transformation
title_full ESG practices, mineral resources exploitation and value creation: insights from Chinese mining companies’ digital transformation
title_fullStr ESG practices, mineral resources exploitation and value creation: insights from Chinese mining companies’ digital transformation
title_full_unstemmed ESG practices, mineral resources exploitation and value creation: insights from Chinese mining companies’ digital transformation
title_short ESG practices, mineral resources exploitation and value creation: insights from Chinese mining companies’ digital transformation
title_sort esg practices mineral resources exploitation and value creation insights from chinese mining companies digital transformation
topic ESG performance
mineral resources
fossil fuel
digital transformation
value enhancement
moderating effect
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1503524/full
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AT lisenzhang esgpracticesmineralresourcesexploitationandvaluecreationinsightsfromchineseminingcompaniesdigitaltransformation