China reports sharp increase in gold, nickel and strategic minerals - Xinhua

China has announced significant boosts in its reserves of gold, nickel, and other strategic minerals following a nationwide evaluation of mineral deposits, according to state news agency Xinhua. The assessment revealed a more than 200% increase in China's retained rhenium resources, a landmark metal used in high-temperature superalloys for jet-engine components.

Gold reserves expanded by the quantity equivalent to 50 large deposits, while nickel reserves swelled by the amount of 30 large deposits. Gallium, indium, tantalum, and vanadium reserves also saw substantial growth, each corresponding to more than 10 large deposits.

This remarkable surge in mineral reserves was the result of a comprehensive, year-long survey encompassing 17 strategic minerals, spanning over 1,800 operating mines and large and medium-sized mining areas across 27 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. The survey team comprised more than 100 institutions and nearly 2,000 survey personnel.

The evaluation encompassed associated mineral resources, lower-grade deposits, and previously unexploitable deposits, thereby expanding China's estimated strategic mineral resources.

In a notable discovery, China identified its first paleofluvial-lacustrine zircon placer deposit in Baicheng, located in the northwestern Xinjiang region. This breakthrough could potentially bolster domestic zircon supplies, diminishing China's reliance on imported zircon. Zircon, a vital source of zirconium, plays a crucial role in nuclear reactor fuel-rod cladding and high-temperature alloys for aerospace applications.

The strategic importance of rhenium and zirconium underscores the significance of this discovery for China's advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and nuclear energy sectors.

The findings underscore China's commitment to fortifying its domestic resource base for minerals essential in various high-tech industries. It is important to note that the reported increases represent revised resource estimates following the nationwide assessment, rather than the discovery of entirely new deposits.