Guizhou strengthens sustainable mineral resource development

The Guizhou Department of Natural Resources has strengthened the province's mineral resource sector by advancing the full chain of precise exploration, targeted resource allocation, refined mining, and value-added utilization. Focused efforts in resource exploration, mining rights management, and intensive development have significantly enhanced resource security, allocation efficiency, and green utilization.

Since 2021, Guizhou's provincial government has invested 2.10 billion yuan ($294 million) in geological exploration, supporting 244 exploration projects for strategic minerals, including coal, phosphorus, aluminum, and manganese, while identifying 91 priority exploration targets. The province has now confirmed reserves of 102 mineral types. The number of minerals ranking among China's top 10 by reserves has increased from 49 in 2022 to 67, with 30 ranking among the nation's top three.

Since 2024, the department has granted 206 mining rights, generating 1.76 billion yuan in revenue and revitalizing underutilized mineral resources. Coal mine consolidation has also improved efficiency, raising average annual production capacity per mine to 677,000 metric tons.

At the same time, Guizhou has advanced intelligent mining, green mineral processing, and the recycling of associated minerals, coal gangue, and mine gas. Reforms have also streamlined mining rights administration, cutting the statutory approval period from 60 working days to 20 and creating a more efficient business environment for new projects.