Zijin Mining Group's stock plummeted 5.05% during intraday trading, reflecting significant selling pressure on the gold mining company. The sharp decline occurred as the broader gold sector showed broad-based weakness in the market session.

The stock's movement is attributed to market concerns over the company's recently disclosed 2026 Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The plan, targeting up to 4,500 employees with a total fund size of approximately 1.5 billion RMB, has raised investor worries about potential shareholder dilution. Particular attention has been drawn to the fact that executives account for 12.20% of the subscription shares, leading to questions about benefit transfer within the company.

Broader market factors also contributed to the decline, including rising U.S. Treasury yields which have increased adjustment pressure on gold prices. Additionally, the Indian government's recent move to raise import duties on gold and silver from 6% to 15% has created concerns about suppressed demand for precious metals in one of the world's largest gold-consuming markets.