Tianjin: A total of 200 non-oil and gas mineral deposits were discovered in China in 2025, according to a report released by the Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday. The report, titled China Mineral Resources 2026, was launched at the ongoing 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition 2026 being held in North China's Tianjin municipality.
According to Emirates News Agency, the report highlighted that China's investment in geological exploration registered positive growth for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, with significant progress in mineral exploration. Among the newly discovered deposits, 16 are gold and 11 are iron, marking them as the most frequently identified types.
The report also pointed out advancements in conventional oil and gas exploration, with notable breakthroughs in new layers and zones, particularly in the Tarim and Junggar Basins. In 2025, China's coal output reached 4.85 billion tonnes, reflecting a 1.4 percent increase from the previous year, while crude oil output rose to 216 million tonnes, marking a 1.5 percent increase and maintaining a seven-year streak of positive growth.
Additionally, the report recorded a 6.3 percent rise in natural gas output, which stood at 262.06 billion cubic meters last year. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China identified 398 new large and medium-sized strategic mineral deposits, including significant discoveries in bulk minerals such as copper, gold, and potash.