Xi Jinping’s recent discovery of a treasure that surpasses the worth of gold by a large sum, the material is…
China has made a significant discovery of medium and rare heavy materials in Honghe in expense of around 1.15 million tons and due to the limited global availability these elements are far more valuable than e.g. gold or silver which can lead to Xi gaining significant strategic value on not only a civilian level but a military level as well.
In a recent press announcement made by the China Geological Survey it was stated that China is set to surpass into becoming a leader in possessing rare earth materials that are to surpass praseodymium, neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, the survey also stated that jade was discovered back in 1969 in Jiangxi and the resources to be discovered from the Yunnans are sure to set a benchmark for the rare material market.
China holds one of the largest rare earth deposits
The Global Times claimed that based on a claim made by the China Geological Survey, which comes under the Ministry of Natural Resources, This might potentially become the largest medium and heavy rare earth deposit in China. Such events are going to further strengthen China’s dominance in the global rare earth market. Not long ago, China also found one of the largest lithium reserves in the world making China hold even more resources title. In fact, China exports more rare earth elements than any other country.
"New energy vehicles alone require on average 0.8 kilograms of rare earth, which is only expected to grow every year. Combining the fact that rare earth elements are almost twelve of sixteen chemical elements, classified into groups of light, medium and heavy, we can see that this element will only continue to grow in demand," Wang Xueqiu stated and is also the finalist scientist at the Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical E.
Of strategic significance
The significance of the discovery is exceptional because it could allow for the extraction of medium and heavy rare-earth minerals, which can be used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and even in national defense. These minerals can also be used in advanced technological industries.
China is rich in resources of light rare earths which are mostly located in Inner Mongolia’s Bayan Obo and in Sichuan’s Maoniuping areas. However, medium to heavy rare earth resources which have a wider usage are quite limited. These resources are crucial for electric vehicles, renewable energy resources, and even for national defense. They are further considered critical metals for the development of high tech industries.