China Announces New Mineral Discoveries Strengthening Its Strategic Security in 2025
The Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources has announced the discovery of 38 new mineral sites during the first half of 2025, marking a 31% increase compared to the same period last year. This move bolsters the country’s efforts to secure its supply of strategic resources.
These discoveries included approximately 3.37 million tons of rubidium and 81 tons of gold, along with other vital minerals, enhancing China’s mineral security and supporting its industrial and technological sectors.
Investment in exploration has grown by over 50% year-on-year, focusing particularly on metals such as tin, bauxite, tungsten, copper, and phosphate, due to their significance in advanced industries like aerospace, semiconductors, and green technology.
Among the notable recent discoveries is the “Jijiaoshan” field in Hunan Province, where significant lithium reserves have been identified within decomposed granite, estimated at around 490 million tons of ore, equivalent to 1.31 million tons of lithium oxide.
Earlier this year, China also announced the discovery of a rich spodumene mineral belt extending 2,800 kilometers in the Kunlun Mountains in the west of the country, with confirmed reserves exceeding 6.5 million tons.
These achievements reflect China’s commitment to securing its lithium resources, known as “white oil,” due to their essential role in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage. Currently, China holds about 16.5% of the world’s reserves of this vital mineral.
