Recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources released the latest prospecting results: the newly increased chromite resources in Luobusha Mining Area, Xizang were 738300 tons, and the cumulative discovered resources exceeded 10 million tons; Sedimentary chromite was first evaluated in Dongqiao area, Xizang, with 1.1463 million tons of associated ore added. Two breakthroughs have opened up a new path for the exploration of extremely scarce mineral resources in China.

Robsa regains a new life

Chromite is the main source of key metal chromium, known as the vitamin of the steel industry due to its high hardness, wear resistance, high temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance. China is one of the countries with the largest consumption of chromite ore in the world, making it extremely difficult to find minerals.

The Robsa chromite deposit located in Qusong County, Shannan, is the largest chromite deposit in China with confirmed resource reserves. It was discovered in the 1960s and put into operation in 1984. After more than 20 years of development, the mine was once depleted, and then continued to search for mines through crisis mining projects. It was in urgent need again around 2013.

In the new round of strategic action of ore prospecting breakthrough, the China Geological Survey, together with the Department of Natural Resources of the Xizang Autonomous Region, carried out research in deep and border areas. The team broke through the traditional drilling verification mode and innovatively constructed a comprehensive geophysical exploration model with "high weight, low magnetism, high speed, and high resistance", successfully achieving a breakthrough in mineral exploration. After adding 738300 tons this time, Robsa has identified a cumulative resource of over 10 million tons.

Dongqiao opens up a new track

In the past, the exploration of chromite ore in China mainly focused on pod shaped deposits. Since the 14th Five Year Plan, relevant teams have discovered the coexistence of iron, nickel, cobalt, and chromite in the sedimentary rocks and conglomerates of the Dongqiao Formation during the search for pod shaped chromite in the Dongqiao area. The newly added amount of associated ore is 1.1463 million tons, establishing a new type of sedimentary chromite in China.

From the new generation of old mines in the deep edge of Robsa to the breakthrough of new mines in the Dongqiao sedimentary type, China's chromite exploration is shifting from a single type to a diversified approach, providing solid support for ensuring the safety of key mineral resources.Editor/Cheng Liting