China Reports Surge in Strategic Mineral and Gold Reserves
China reported substantial increases in gold, nickel, and other strategic mineral reserves following a nationwide reassessment of its domestic deposits.
The Ministry of Natural Resources of China reported significant increases in its reserves of gold, nickel, and other strategic minerals following a yearlong nationwide reassessment. The survey involved nearly 2,000 personnel and 100 institutions across 27 provinces, incorporating lower-grade and previously difficult-to-exploit deposits into the national count.
According to the ministry, rhenium resources increased by more than 200%, while gold and nickel reserves rose by the equivalent of 50 and 30 large deposits, respectively. Other strategic minerals, including gallium, indium, tantalum, and vanadium, each saw increases of more than 10 large deposits.
In Baicheng, Xinjiang, China identified its first paleofluvial-lacustrine zircon placer deposit. This discovery is expected to reduce the country's reliance on imports for zirconium, a material critical for nuclear and aerospace applications. These findings align with China's broader objective to strengthen its domestic resource base to support nuclear energy and advanced manufacturing.
