China has reported remarkable progress in oil, natural gas, and uranium exploration during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), Vice Minister of Natural Resources Xu Dachun announced on Wednesday.
According to Xu, deep layers of major basins and offshore deep-water areas have become key sources for expanding oil and gas reserves, ensuring stable production of nearly 200 million tonnes of crude oil and over 240 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually.
Significant strides have also been made in uranium exploration, with multiple new deposits discovered, including two exceptionally large reserves in Gansu and Heilongjiang provinces. These findings greatly enhance China’s energy security by strengthening its uranium supply base.
In addition, breakthroughs in strategic mineral exploration were highlighted. Lithium reserves were identified across the “Asian Lithium Belt,” stretching from Sichuan to Xinjiang, supporting the growth of new energy industries. Key technological advances now allow lithium extraction from potassium salt brines and low-grade ores.
China has also achieved a milestone in helium production, developing a domestic extraction system from natural gas, ending reliance on imports and meeting essential demand for sectors such as semiconductors, aviation, and medical technology.
Further discoveries include the Dadonggou gold mine in Liaoning Province, with estimated resources of nearly 1,500 tons, making it one of the largest gold reserves in the country.
Xu emphasised that China will continue its strategic push in mineral exploration to secure long-term resource supplies critical for both energy stability and high-tech development.
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