China mineral discoveries reached 200 non-oil and gas deposits in 2025, including 16 gold and 11 iron deposits, as geological exploration investment continued to grow.
BEIJING: China mineral discoveries reached 200 non-oil and gas deposits in 2025, highlighting continued investment in geological exploration as the country expands its domestic resource base. Gold and iron were the most frequently discovered minerals, according to the China Mineral Resources 2026 report.
The report, released by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, was unveiled during the 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Tianjin.
Among the 200 newly identified deposits, 16 contained gold and 11 contained iron. The findings come as investment in geological exploration recorded positive growth for a fifth consecutive year in 2025.
The latest figures provide a snapshot of China’s efforts to identify and develop domestic mineral resources at a time when strategic minerals play an increasingly important role across manufacturing, infrastructure and industrial supply chains.
Progress was not limited to non-oil minerals. The report said conventional oil and gas exploration also achieved major breakthroughs in new layers and zones, including areas within the Tarim and Junggar Basins.
China’s broader energy production continued to expand during the year. Coal output reached 4.85 billion tonnes in 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 1.4 per cent.
Crude oil production climbed 1.5 per cent to 216 million tonnes, extending positive growth for a seventh consecutive year. Natural gas output increased more rapidly, rising 6.3 per cent to 262.06 billion cubic metres.
The latest China mineral discoveries also build on exploration undertaken during the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan, covering 2021 to 2025.
Over that period, China identified 398 new large and medium-sized strategic mineral deposits, including oil and gas fields. The report highlighted significant breakthroughs involving bulk minerals including copper, gold and potash.
The scale of exploration is significant because mineral availability is closely linked to industrial capacity and long-term supply resilience. Metals such as iron and copper remain essential to traditional industries and infrastructure, while securing domestic resources can help strengthen supply chains.
China mineral discoveries will therefore be watched beyond the mining industry as the country continues developing its resource base alongside its substantial coal, oil and natural gas production.
The 2026 report indicates that geological exploration remains an active part of China’s wider resource strategy, with sustained investment translating into new discoveries across both minerals and conventional energy resources.
Impact to expect
The discoveries could strengthen China’s long-term access to domestic mineral resources, support industrial supply chains and reduce pressure on external sources as demand for strategically important raw materials evolves.
