China leads world in reserves of 14 minerals
2026-09-14 10:56:09 [Print]
China ranks first globally in reserves of 14 minerals, including rare earths, tungsten, tin and molybdenum, and is among the world's top four for nine others, including coal, iron, manganese and titanium, according to the China Mineral Resources Report 2026 released by the Ministry of Natural Resources on Sept. 11 at the 2026 China International Mining Conference. The figures reflect the situation at the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
In 2025, China's geological exploration investment rose for the fifth consecutive year, with continued significant progress in mineral prospecting.
The report said 200 new non-oil-and-gas mineral occurrences were discovered nationwide in 2025: 63 large, 57 medium and 80 small. Gold topped the list with 16 new discoveries, followed by iron with 11, coal with 9, and manganese and lithium with 8 each.
In mineral resource development and utilization, fixed-asset investment in the mining sector also grew for a fifth straight year. Production and supply of major mineral products remained stable, and the industrial and supply chains for mineral resources became more secure. Output of 10 nonferrous metals reached 81.75 million tonnes, up 3.9%. Among non-metallic minerals, phosphate rock output reached 120 million tonnes (calculated as 30% P2O5), up 11.5% year on year.
In 2025, China's geological exploration investment rose for the fifth consecutive year, with continued significant progress in mineral prospecting.
The report said 200 new non-oil-and-gas mineral occurrences were discovered nationwide in 2025: 63 large, 57 medium and 80 small. Gold topped the list with 16 new discoveries, followed by iron with 11, coal with 9, and manganese and lithium with 8 each.
In mineral resource development and utilization, fixed-asset investment in the mining sector also grew for a fifth straight year. Production and supply of major mineral products remained stable, and the industrial and supply chains for mineral resources became more secure. Output of 10 nonferrous metals reached 81.75 million tonnes, up 3.9%. Among non-metallic minerals, phosphate rock output reached 120 million tonnes (calculated as 30% P2O5), up 11.5% year on year.
