Newly revised implementation regulations for China's Mineral Resources Law takes effect
2026-06-16 14:57:46 [Print]
The newly revised Implementation Regulations of the Mineral Resources Law of the People's Republic of China officially came into force on June 15, marking the first time that a list of 36 nationally strategic minerals has been clearly defined at the administrative regulation level. This signals a major shift in China's mineral resource management--from aggregate volume control to full-chain strategic governance.
The updated regulations expand the list of strategic minerals from the previous 24 categories to 36, spanning energy, metals, and non-metals. For critical minerals such as molybdenum, germanium, indium, rare earths, lithium, and copper, the regulations impose five rigid constraints: planning controls, aggregate production caps, qualification requirements for mining operations, strategic reserves, and export review mechanisms.
The updated regulations expand the list of strategic minerals from the previous 24 categories to 36, spanning energy, metals, and non-metals. For critical minerals such as molybdenum, germanium, indium, rare earths, lithium, and copper, the regulations impose five rigid constraints: planning controls, aggregate production caps, qualification requirements for mining operations, strategic reserves, and export review mechanisms.

