China's mineral resource base has grown more solid, with 14 minerals including rare earths, tungsten, tin and molybdenum ranking first globally in reserves, according to a report released by the Ministry of Natural Resources on September 11 at the 2026 China International Mining Conference.

The targets of the 14th "Five-Year Plan" mineral exploration breakthrough strategy have been fully met, the China Mineral Resources Report (2026) showed. By the end of the 14th "Five-Year Plan" period, China ranked first in the world in reserves of 14 minerals including rare earths, tungsten, tin and molybdenum, and among the top four globally in reserves of nine minerals including coal, iron, manganese and titanium.

China's coal output reached 4.85 billion tonnes in 2025, up 1.4% from the previous year, the report said. Crude oil output rose 1.5% to 216 million tonnes, marking a seventh consecutive year of growth. Natural gas output climbed 6.3% to 262.06 billion cubic meters, extending a nine-year streak of annual increases exceeding 10 billion cubic meters.

Production and supply of major mineral products remained stable, with the industrial chain and supply chain for mineral resources further consolidated. Energy mineral products including coal, crude oil and natural gas maintained sound production growth.

Fixed-asset investment in the mining sector posted positive growth for a fifth consecutive year. China's geological exploration investment rose for a fifth straight year in 2025, with 200 new non-oil and gas mineral deposits discovered nationwide, including 63 large, 57 medium and 80 small deposits. Gold ranked first by number of new discoveries with 16, followed by iron ore with 11, coal with 9, manganese with 8 and lithium with 8.

Output of 10 non-ferrous metals reached 81.75 million tonnes, up 3.9%. Phosphate rock output totaled 120 million tonnes (calculated at 30% P2O5 content), up 11.5% year on year.

Green development has become a defining feature of mineral resource exploration and development, with ecological protection advanced in tandem. China continued to strengthen supervision and dynamic management of green mines, expanding the coverage of green mine construction.

During the 14th "Five-Year Plan" period, China restored and treated 223,000 hectares of abandoned historical mines, exceeding the expected target by 19.6%. In 2025, the central government allocated 5.15 billion yuan for key ecological protection and restoration, advancing demonstration projects for ecological restoration of abandoned historical mines.

China also achieved breakthroughs in metallogenic theory and made significant progress in exploration technology and equipment research, with scientific and technological innovation capacity in mineral resources notably enhanced. International cooperation in the sector has also become closer.