China Secures Top Global Rank in 14 Mineral Reserves
China holds the world's largest reserves of 14 strategic minerals, including rare earths and tungsten, according to the 2026 Mineral Resources Report.
China has solidified its position as the world's leading holder of strategic mineral resources, ranking first globally for reserves of 14 key materials. These include rare earths, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, antimony, gallium, germanium, indium, fluorite, and graphite. The data, released by the Ministry of Natural Resources at the 2026 China Mining Conference, marks the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
The country also placed in the global top four for nine additional minerals, such as coal, iron, manganese, titanium, lithium, zinc, phosphorus, and magnesite. This dominance is underpinned by a fifth consecutive annual increase in geological exploration investment in 2025, which drove the discovery of 200 new non-oil and gas mineral deposits nationwide.
Exploration Breakthroughs in Key Regions
Significant new deposits were identified in gold, iron ore, coal, manganese, and lithium. Specifically, gold yielded 16 new deposits, followed by 11 for iron ore and nine for coal. During the five-year planning period, China identified 398 large and medium-sized strategic mineral deposits, including 225 oil and gas fields.
Major breakthroughs occurred in the Bayan Obo mining area in Inner Mongolia and the Maoniuping mining area in Sichuan. These discoveries significantly expanded the nation's rare-earth resources, reinforcing its structural advantage in the sector. Exploration of emerging strategic minerals like lithium, helium, and high-purity quartz also advanced, reflecting a broader shift in resource focus.
AI-Driven Prospecting Efficiency Gains
The ministry unveiled the AI-OreSeeking system, a one-stop solution for mineral-resource prediction and assessment. This technology marks a transition from experience-driven to intelligence-driven prospecting. The system is designed to boost efficiency by more than 60 percent compared with traditional manual processing methods.
Production figures for 10 major nonferrous metals continued to rise, alongside growth in coal, crude oil, and natural gas output. The report notes that the global mining industry is undergoing profound transformation due to energy transition and supply-chain volatility, with security considerations increasingly shaping sector governance.
Strategic Global Cooperation Initiatives
China is deepening cross-border mining cooperation, contributing technologies such as autonomous mining trucks and AI models for tailings recycling. The Initiative for International Economic and Trade Cooperation on Green Mining and Minerals, jointly proposed by China and South Africa, received support from over 30 countries at the 2025 G20 Summit.
These developments align with the findings detailed in GN auto stocks/materials: rare earths, highlighting the critical role these minerals play in global industrial supply chains. The continued expansion of reserves and technological integration suggests a sustained competitive edge in the strategic minerals market.
