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China has discovered a new rare earth deposit in Yunnan Province, which could significantly strengthen the country's strategic position in the extraction and use of rare earth minerals.
The deposit, located in Honghe, contains more than 1,15 million tons of resources, including 470 tons of praseodymium, neodymium, dysprosium and terbium — elements that are key to the production of high-tech products from electric vehicles to commercial electronics. The deposit is of the ion-adsorption type, making it easier to extract using environmentally sensitive methods, according to the China Geological Survey (CGS).
The meaning of discovery
CGS emphasizes that this discovery strengthens China's advantages in the extraction of rare earth elements, which are crucial for many strategic industries.
China is the world's largest producer of rare earth elements, with an estimated 44 million tonnes of resources. This provides an important raw material base for industries such as aerospace, energy and information technology. The discovery of the new deposit in Yunnan follows a fruitful 2024, when China discovered two new rare earth minerals in Inner Mongolia and a significant gold deposit in Hunan province with reserves of over 1000 tonnes.
Environmental advantage of ion adsorption deposits
Ion-adsorption mines, like the one found in Yunnan, are formed by the natural weathering of granite soil, where rare earth elements are concentrated on the surface of clay minerals. This type of deposit allows for environmentally friendly mining methods, such as ion exchange, which minimizes environmental damage.
According to the US Geological Survey, China remains the dominant player in global rare earth exports, growing by 2024% in 6 to 55 tonnes. The discovery in Yunnan could further strengthen this position, meeting the growing demand for minerals for the global technology and energy sectors.
This breakthrough is part of CGS's systematic program to expand geochemical research, ensuring China's technological and strategic development in the face of increasing competition for critical resources.
