By 2025, the investment in non oil and gas geological exploration in China will reach 25.25 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10%, and 200 new large and medium-sized mineral deposits will be discovered. According to data from the Ministry of Natural Resources, China's non oil and gas exploration has achieved positive growth for five consecutive years, with 200 newly discovered large and medium-sized mineral deposits of gold, iron, coal, lithium, and other minerals, further consolidating its mineral resources.

Accelerate the exploration of strategic mineral resources

Among the 200 newly discovered mineral deposits, there has been a significant increase in exploration investment for strategic emerging minerals such as manganese, nickel, and tin. The investment in lithium exploration increased by over 25% year-on-year, while the investment in manganese and nickel exploration both increased by over 15%, reflecting the strategic orientation of the country to accelerate the improvement of its independent guarantee capability for key mineral resources. By the end of 2025, China's lithium ore resources have exceeded 9 million tons and nickel ore resources have exceeded 4 million tons, providing solid support for the new energy industry and high-end manufacturing. At the same time, the proportion of strategic mineral exploration projects in China has increased from 32% in 2021 to 47% in 2025, and the focus of mineral exploration is accelerating towards key mineral types.

Government market synergy efforts

From the perspective of funding structure, the geological exploration field in China has formed a diversified development pattern by 2025. The financial investment is about 9.5 billion yuan, accounting for 37.6%; Social capital investment is about 15.75 billion yuan, accounting for 62.4%, and social capital has become the main force of geological exploration investment. The coordinated promotion of public geological surveys and commercial exploration is accelerating the formation of a new pattern of mineral exploration guided by the government, led by the market, and involving multiple parties. By the end of 2025, there will be approximately 420000 employed personnel in geological exploration units nationwide, and over 2600 units with various exploration qualifications. In the final year of the 14th Five Year Plan, this continuously increasing investment report is laying a solid foundation for national energy and resource security.Editor/Cheng Liting