The reporter learned from the Ministry of Natural Resources today (April 29) that my country’s new round of mineral prospecting breakthrough strategic actions has achieved a series of new breakthroughs, further consolidating the mineral resource base, and effectively ensuring the security of national energy resources.
The Ministry of Natural Resources stated that since the launch of a new round of mineral prospecting breakthrough strategic actions in 2021, my country's mineral resource reserves have increased significantly, and 398 large and medium-sized strategic mineral deposits (oil and gas fields) have been newly discovered. A number of historic breakthroughs have been made in the exploration of bulk minerals such as copper, gold, and potassium salts. The exploration of strategic emerging minerals such as lithium, helium, and high-purity quartz has achieved leapfrog development, and the ability to independently guarantee resources has been significantly enhanced.
With continuous breakthroughs in geological prospecting, my country’s mineral resource base has been further consolidated. The latest data shows that as of the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan, my country's 14 mineral reserves, including rare earths, tungsten, and tin, rank first in the world. 9 mineral reserves, including coal, iron, and lithium, rank among the top four in the world. This has effectively improved my country's resource continuity capabilities and laid a solid foundation for high-quality economic and social development and resource security.
(CCTV reporters Cui Xia and Tan Zhenhua)
