Gansu discovers more rare earth deposits  

甘肃发现一批稀有金属矿床

近年来，甘肃在稀有金属找矿方面取得了重大突破，陆续发现了瓜州国宝山铷矿、阿克塞余石山铌矿等一大批勘查基地。初步估算资源量20万吨，远景资源量100万吨，铌矿含量200至500吨。

Lanzhou (CNS) -- Gansu is estimated to have 200,000 tons of rare earth resources and one million tons of undiscovered reserves, the Provincial Department of Land and Resources said Thursday.

Gansu has recently introduced more private capital to locate rare earth metals. Last year the province carried out 59 such projects with funding of 300 million yuan (US$47.2 million), discovering new deposits of gold and iron.

The Ge'erke Gold Orefield in Maqu County is now the largest and most profitable gold exploration project in Gansu. Beishan, Minxian and Yawan have all been listed among the first batch of key state exploitation zones for gold, copper, nickel, tungsten and so on.

As of 2011, Gansu had discovered 27 sources of rare earths, 10 of which are rated above mid-scale. The discoveries will help the province establish new mineral development bases, nourish the resource industry and relieve shortages.