Zhang worked for Comalco Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto Limited, for 5 years involved in process development and aluminium smelting operations. Mr Zhang has had considerable commercial experience, joining Sino Mining International Limited in Sydney in 1997 working in the corporate finance area and later in the business development international resources industry. Since 2001, Mr Zhang has been involved in general management of an alumina subsidiary of Sino Mining International Limited, Sino Mining Alumina Limited.