New large, rare earth deposits found in SW China

(ECNS) -- New massive ion adsorption type rare deposits have been found with potential resources reaching 1.15 million metric tons in Honghe, southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to the China Geological Survey of Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday.

Among the discovery, critical rare earth elements such as praseodymium, neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium exceed 470,000 metric tons. This marks another breakthrough in the exploration of ion-adsorption-type rare earth deposits in China since their first discovery in Jiangxi Province in 1969. It is expected to become the largest medium-to-heavy rare earth deposit in the country.

China is abundant in light rare earth resources, primarily distributed in regions such as Bayan Obo in Inner Mongolia and Maoniuping in Sichuan. Medium-to-heavy rare earth resources, with broader application fields, are relatively scarce in the country. They are essential raw materials for electric vehicles, renewable energy, national defense, and other critical sectors, serving as key metals for the development of high-tech industries.

A national geochemical baseline network has been developed locally, collecting vast amounts of geochemical data and achieving significant breakthroughs in mineral exploration theories and techniques in the past 10 years. This has filled the gap in geochemical exploration technologies for ion-adsorption-type rare earth deposits and developed a fast, precise, and environmentally friendly exploration system.

Experts believe that the discovery will further consolidate China's strategic advantage in the field of medium-to-heavy rare earth resources. and improve China's rare earth industry chain.