Jinchang Economic and Technological Development Zone was built in August 1988 and was among the earliest five development zones approved by the Gansu government. It was upgraded to a national-level economic and technological development zone in March 2010 and became an innovation and entrepreneurship demonstration park of nonferrous metal new materials in Gansu in April 2012.

The zone has a planning area of 91 square kilometers. Jinchuan industrial park, with a planning area of 66 sq km, develops nonferrous metals and deep processing, new-energy equipment manufacturing and chemical engineering.

Hexibu Industrial Park has a planning area of 25 sq km and is involved in the chemical recycling economy, metallurgy and modern logistics.

Circular economy sectors develop fast in the zone and 10 industrial chains have been set up including nonferrous metals and deep processing, building materials and clean energy.

The zone has promoted a scientific and technological innovation system featuring cooperation between companies, government agencies and research institutes. It has signed a partnership agreement with Lanzhou University of Technology to build an economic and technological institute.