China unearths rich mineral reserves

Substantial breakthroughs in oil, gas and other minerals have been achieved in China's latest round of strategic mineral exploration, a Ministry of Natural Resources official said Tuesday.

Major discoveries include three large coalbed methane fields in the Ordos Basin, located in central-western China, with proven geological reserves exceeding 500 billion cubic meters, according to Xiong Zili, director of the ministry's Geological Exploration Management Department. These reserves account for nearly 70 percent of the country's previously known coalbed methane resources.

China also identified the world's first large-scale, deep-water shallow-layer gas field, which has added over 100 billion cubic meters of proven natural gas reserves. Additionally, 10 new oil fields with reserves exceeding 100 million metric tons and 19 gas fields with reserves of more than 100 billion cubic meters have been discovered, Xiong said.

The exploration drive also uncovered 53 million tons of bauxite, 1.7 billion tons of iron ore, 1,570 tons of gold and 2.76 billion tons of phosphate rock. The Yangchang-Mangbu region in Zhenxiong county, Yunnan province, was found to host Asia's largest concealed single phosphate deposit to date, Xiong said.

In addition to traditional resources, China achieved significant breakthroughs in strategic emerging industrial minerals and noble gases. During the current 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), China went from having no helium reserves to proving 4.07 billion cubic meters of geological helium reserves, reducing its reliance on imports, according to Xiong.

Xiong attributed these achievements to organizational mechanisms, technological innovation, and financial support.

The ministry established a mineral exploration breakthrough strategic action office to coordinate efforts among central and local governments, enterprises, mining companies, geological units and research institutions, forming a unified nationwide approach to mineral exploration.

Technological advances have also played a crucial role. China independently developed magnetic vector systems, geophysical software and a third-generation integrated airborne geophysical exploration technology system, significantly improving the depth, precision and efficiency of mineral exploration, Xiong said.

Over the past five years, approximately 400 billion yuan ($54.56 billion) has been invested in mineral exploration, with 92 percent coming from private investors, Xiong said.

The ministry's next steps include meeting the goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan, planning for the 15th Five-Year Plan, strengthening technological innovation and talent cultivation, and enhancing conservation and the use of mineral resources.