rare earth Photo:VCG

A Chinese research team told the Global Times on Wednesday that they have discovered rich rare-earth oxides, estimated at one million tons, in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, the first super-large ion-adsorption rare earth mine discovered in the country. 

This discovery is significant for China's development, experts say.

The newly discovered rare earth deposit is substantial, with shallow depth and good quality, making it cost-effective to develop, the representative told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"The deposit's location near the borders of Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, provides the potential for further exploration to build a larger, connected rare earth resource base, while cooperating with the BRI partners," Zhang Zuoheng, the director of Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences told to the media.

The team led by Wang Xueqiu from the Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, not only found the exceptionally rich heavy rare earth deposit in Honghe, Yunnan, but also two large and one medium-sized deposits in other three areas of Yunnan, totaling an estimated one million tons of rare earth oxides.

"We have taken national demands as our responsibility. From 2008 to 2024, our team conducted 260 drill tests, with 165 confirming valuable rare earth resources that meet industrial mining standards," a representative from Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

They has also innovated in the application of geochemical exploration methods for key rare earth elements, filling a gap in the evaluation techniques for ion-adsorption rare earth deposits, making each search more efficient and precise.

In recent years, the rapid growth of new materials and new-energy products has significantly increased market demand for rare earths. 

In June, China has issued a set of regulations on rare earth administration. The regulations, which will take effect on Oct 1, state that rare earth resources are owned by the state and will be subject to protective mining practices.

China will promote the high-quality development of the rare-earth industry, and encourage the research, development and application of new technologies, new materials and new equipment, according to the regulations.

Rare earth elements are scarce, described as the "vitamins of industry" and the "mother of new materials". They are crucial material in glass, electric vehicles, industrial robots, and aerospace. The newly found rare earths could further contribute to China's development of manufacturing sector, high-tech and defense industries, experts said.

China is a leading producer of rare earths, supplying over 70 percent of the world's rare earths with about 40 percent of global reserves. Its exports primarily go to the US, Japan, South Korea, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and over 70 other countries and regions.

Global Times