China achieves significant progress in mineral exploration during the 14th Five-Year Plan.
China has made significant discoveries in oil, gas, uranium, and strategic minerals, strengthening its energy and mineral security.
247 - China made great strides in the exploration of oil, gas, uranium, and other essential minerals during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). This information comes from... Global Times, based on reports from Xu Dachun, vice minister of Natural Resources, at a press conference last Wednesday.
According to Xu, the exploration of deep layers in large basins and deep-water offshore areas has been fundamental to increasing the country's oil and gas reserves, allowing for stable production of 200 million tons of crude oil and more than 240 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
Furthermore, the discovery of new uranium deposits has had a significant impact on the security of supply of this resource, vital for nuclear power generation. China has also conducted a comprehensive survey of 163 types of mineral resources with verified reserves, resulting in the discovery of 534 large and medium-sized oil and gas fields, as well as mineral deposits in various parts of the country.
Xu highlighted that approximately 450 billion yuan (around US$63,19 billion) has been invested in mineral resources, generating significant discoveries. Among these, the vice minister mentioned the addition of new geological gas reserves in the Ordos Basin, which have exceeded 300 billion cubic meters, practically the same volume added in the last decade. "These reserves come mainly from deep layers and offshore areas, guaranteeing stable oil and natural gas production," Xu stated.
The advancement in uranium exploration also stood out, with the discovery of two exceptional deposits in the provinces of Gansu and Heilongjiang. Regarding strategic minerals, Xu explained that lithium, essential for the new energy vehicle industry, has been found along an "Asian Lithium Belt" stretching for 2.800 kilometers. This belt encompasses several provinces, such as Sichuan, Qinghai, Tibet, and Xinjiang, and contains large and super-large lithium deposits. China has also developed new technologies to extract lithium from brines and low-grade lepidolite, consolidating its position as one of the largest producers of this resource.
Another important mineral is helium, vital for magnetic resonance imaging, semiconductors, and aviation. China, which previously depended on imports, now has an advanced system for extracting helium from natural gas, ensuring domestic production that meets major internal demands.
The continuous discovery of abundant and scarce resources has been followed by independent analyst Wu Chenhui, who highlighted the importance of these discoveries for China's economic and social development. He stated that strengthening mineral infrastructure and ensuring the security of supply of strategic resources are essential for the growth of high technology in the country.
Still within the bulk minerals sector, Xu mentioned that the revitalization of old mining bases and the emergence of new resource bases have contributed to growth. An example of this is the Dadonggou gold mine in Liaoning province, which has estimated resources of nearly 1.500 tons of gold. This mine has the potential to become one of the largest in China, alongside the Jiaodong mine located in Shandong.
Based on these advances, China is committed to intensifying strategic actions to continue expanding mineral exploration, seeking to ensure a secure supply of energy and resources. Xu concluded: "We will continue to strengthen exploration efforts and implement measures to ensure the country's energy and mineral security."
