China Reports World-Leading Reserves in 14 Minerals as Exploration Finds 200 New Deposits

Highlights

• China holds the world's largest reserves of at least 14 mineral commodities, including rare earths, tungsten, gallium, germanium, and graphite.
• 200 new non-oil-and-gas deposits were discovered in 2025, including finds at major rare-earth districts Bayan Obo and Maoniuping.
• China produced 94% of global rare-earth smelting products in 2025 and ranked first in output for 17 mineral commodities.
• Exploration investment reached RMB 117.855 billion in 2025, marking a fifth consecutive annual increase and part of over RMB 500 billion invested during the 14th Five-Year Plan.
• Western nations face a structural challenge: geological resources alone cannot replicate China's integrated mining, processing, and manufacturing ecosystem.