Recently, the reporter learned from the China Geological Survey of the Ministry of Natural Resources that my country has discovered super-large-scale ion adsorption rare earth mines in the Honghe area of Yunnan Province.
The potential resources of the ultra-large-scale ion adsorption rare earth ore discovered this time are 1.15 million tons, of which more than 470,000 tons of key rare earth elements such as praseodymium, neodymium, dysprosium, terbium are more than 470,000 tons. This is another major breakthrough after the first discovery of ion adsorption rare earth ore in Jiangxi in 1969, and is expected to become China's largest medium-heavy rare earth deposit.
Wang Xueqiu, chief scientist of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Exploration of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences: Rare earths are a family, with a total of 16 chemical elements in the family, divided into three small families: light, medium and heavy. Each new energy vehicle requires 0.8 kilograms of rare earths (critical) so the demand is particularly huge, and the demand is increasing every year.
The ion adsorption rare earth ore discovered this time is mainly medium and heavy rare earth ore. my country's medium and heavy rare earth resources are relatively scarce and have a wider range of applications. They are indispensable and key raw materials such as new energy and national defense security, and are also key metals for the development of high-tech industries. Next, the China Geological Survey of the Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to increase the intensity of investigation and evaluation, and further expand my country's achievements in the Honghe area of Yunnan Province.
(CCTV reporter Cui Xia and Wu Tianbai)
