China Launches Major Mineral Exploration Campaign to Secure Supply Through 2030
On September 22, China's Ministry of Natural Resources announced that demand for key minerals will maintain rigid growth during the 2026-2030 period. To secure supply, the ministry will launch a new round of mineral exploration, including a national geological mapping plan to increase survey coverage to 51% on land and 66% in key metallogenic belts, a campaign focused on scarce minerals like oil, iron, copper, and aluminum, and the construction of approximately 300 energy resource bases.
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China's Natural Resources Ministry Says Mineral Demand to Stay Strong in 15th Five-Year Plan Period
On September 22, China's Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson and Vice Minister Zhou Xing stated at a State Council Information Office press conference that China, as a manufacturing powerhouse, will see rigid growth in demand for key mineral resources during the '15th Five-Year Plan' period (2026-2030). To secure supply, the ministry will launch a new round of mineral exploration breakthroughs, including a national geological mapping plan to increase land-based 1:50,000 regional geological survey coverage to 51% and coverage of key metallogenic belts to 66%. It will also organize a major exploration campaign focusing on scarce minerals such as oil, iron, copper, and aluminum, while also attending to rare earths and other advantageous minerals. The plan includes deploying around 300 key energy and resource bases to bolster energy security. Additionally, the ministry will enhance technological innovation to increase reserves and improve utilization rates, pushing mining enterprises to raise their 'three rates' (mining recovery rate, mineral processing recovery rate, and comprehensive resource utilization rate).
Read sourceChina's Natural Resources Ministry Says Mineral Demand to Stay Strong in 15th Five-Year Plan
In a press conference on September 22, China's Vice Minister of Natural Resources, Zhou Xing, stated that the country's demand for important mineral resources will maintain rigid growth during the '15th Five-Year Plan' period (2026-2030). Attributing this to China's status as a manufacturing powerhouse, Zhou outlined a series of measures to secure supply. These include a new round of mineral exploration campaigns, a national geological mapping plan to increase 1:50,000 regional geological survey coverage to 51% and coverage of important metallogenic belts to 66%, and intensified exploration and extraction efforts. The ministry will organize a 'mineral exploration campaign' focusing on紧缺 (scarce) minerals such as oil, iron, copper, and aluminum, while also considering advantageous minerals like rare earths. It plans to deploy key exploration and extraction projects and steadily advance the construction of approximately 300 energy resource bases to bolster energy security. Additionally, the ministry will enhance technological innovation to achieve incremental breakthroughs and revitalize existing reserves, pushing mining enterprises to improve their 'three rates' (mining recovery rate, mineral processing recovery rate, and comprehensive resource utilization rate).
Read sourceChina's Ministry of Natural Resources Says Mineral Demand to Stay Strong in 15th Five-Year Plan
In a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on September 22, Zhou Xing, spokesperson and vice minister of China's Ministry of Natural Resources, stated that as a major manufacturing country, China's demand for important mineral resources will maintain rigid growth during the '15th Five-Year Plan' period (2026-2030). To secure this supply, the ministry will launch a new round of strategic mineral prospecting breakthroughs. Key measures include implementing a national geological mapping plan to increase land-based 1:50,000 regional geological survey coverage to 51% and coverage of mineral geological surveys in important metallogenic belts to 66%. The ministry will also organize a major prospecting campaign focusing on紧缺 (scarce) minerals such as oil, iron, copper, and aluminum, while also considering advantageous minerals like rare earths. It plans to deploy a number of key exploration and mining projects and steadily advance the construction of approximately 300 energy resource bases to enhance the country's energy and resource security. Additionally, the ministry will strengthen technological innovation to achieve incremental breakthroughs and revitalize existing reserves, encouraging mining enterprises to improve their 'three rates' (mining recovery rate, mineral processing recovery rate, and comprehensive resource utilization rate).
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China's Ministry of Natural Resources Says Mineral Demand Will Keep Growing During 15th Five-Year Plan
On September 22, at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office, Zhou Xing, spokesperson and vice minister of China's Ministry of Natural Resources, stated that as a major manufacturing country, China's demand for important mineral resources will maintain rigid growth during the '15th Five-Year Plan' period (2026-2030). To secure energy and resource supply for advanced manufacturing, the ministry will continue a new round of mineral exploration breakthrough actions. Specific measures include implementing a national geological mapping plan to raise the coverage rate of 1:50,000 regional geological surveys on land to 51% and coverage of mineral geological surveys in key metallogenic belts to 66%; intensifying exploration and mining efforts by organizing a major prospecting campaign focusing on scarce minerals such as oil, iron, copper, and aluminum, while also considering advantageous minerals like rare earths, deploying a batch of key exploration and mining projects, and steadily advancing the construction of about 300 energy and resource bases; and strengthening technological innovation to achieve incremental breakthroughs and revitalize existing reserves, pushing mining enterprises to improve their 'three rates' (mining recovery rate, mineral processing recovery rate, and comprehensive resource utilization rate).
Read sourceChina to Boost Mineral Exploration for Strategic Resources Over Next Five Years
In a press conference held by the State Council Information Office, Chinese officials announced plans for the '15th Five-Year Plan' period to ensure the secure and efficient use of natural resources. A spokesperson stated that as a major manufacturing country, China's demand for important mineral resources will maintain rigid growth. The Ministry of Natural Resources will continue a new round of strategic mineral prospecting actions to secure energy supplies for advanced manufacturing. Key measures include implementing a national geological mapping plan to increase 1:50,000 regional geological survey coverage to 51% and mineral geological survey coverage in important metallogenic belts to 66%. The ministry will also organize a major prospecting campaign focusing on紧缺 minerals such as oil, iron, copper, and aluminum, while also considering rare earths. The goal is to discover new large and medium-sized mineral deposits and oil and gas fields, and steadily advance the construction of about 300 energy resource bases to significantly increase China's self-sufficiency rate of strategic mineral resources.
Read sourceChina's Natural Resources Ministry Says Mineral Demand to Stay Strong Through 15th Five-Year Plan
On September 22, China's Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson and Vice Minister Zhou Xing stated at a State Council Information Office press conference that as a major manufacturing country, China's demand for important mineral resources will maintain rigid growth during the '15th Five-Year Plan' period (2026-2030). To address this, the ministry will continue implementing a new round of strategic mineral exploration initiatives to secure energy supplies and support advanced manufacturing development. Key measures include: implementing a national geological mapping plan to increase land area 1:50,000 regional geological survey coverage to 51% and important metallogenic belt mineral geological survey coverage to 66%; intensifying exploration and extraction efforts through a 'mineral exploration campaign' focusing on scarce minerals such as petroleum, iron, copper, and aluminum, while also considering rare earth and other advantageous minerals, deploying key exploration and extraction projects, and steadily building approximately 300 energy resource bases; and strengthening technological innovation to achieve incremental breakthroughs and revitalize existing reserves, pushing mining enterprises to improve their 'three rates' (mining recovery rate, mineral processing recovery rate, and comprehensive resource utilization rate).
Read sourceChina's Natural Resources Ministry Says Mineral Demand to Stay Strong Through 15th Five-Year Plan
On September 22, China's Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson and Vice Minister Zhou Xing stated at a State Council Information Office press conference that as a major manufacturing country, China's demand for important mineral resources will maintain rigid growth during the '15th Five-Year Plan' period (2026-2030). To address this, the ministry will continue a new round of mineral exploration breakthrough actions to secure energy supply for advanced manufacturing. Key measures include: implementing a national geological mapping plan to raise land area 1:50,000 regional geological survey coverage to 51% and important metallogenic belt mineral geological survey coverage to 66%; intensifying exploration and extraction by organizing a 'mining campaign' focused on scarce minerals like oil, iron, copper, and aluminum, while also considering rare earths and other advantageous minerals, deploying key exploration and extraction projects, and steadily building about 300 energy resource bases; and strengthening technological innovation to achieve incremental breakthroughs and revitalize existing reserves, pushing mining enterprises to improve their 'three rates' (mining recovery rate, mineral processing recovery rate, and comprehensive resource utilization rate).
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