Geological Mineral Exploration Gaining Pace in Xinjiang; Lead Zinc Ore Reserves Expected to Increase by 3 Million Tons

Along with the implementation of “west-to-east coal transfer” strategy and the rapid construction of the “One Body, Two Wings” coal railway project, a new wave of geological mineral exploration in Xinjiang has commenced.

Currently, the Xinjiang Autonomous Region has been adjusting its strategies of coal exploration, and has been promoting exploration with centralized competitive advantages. It is reported that new supplies of coal resources in five coal mines belonging to the “west-east coal transfer” project, including the Sha’er Lake area and the Danan Lake area, will reach approximately 111.7 billion tons, bringing the total supply to 200 billion tons. Several sites of exploitable thick coal layers have also been found in Zhaosu, Yili and Huocheng. 1.54 million tons of lead-zinc resources were recently found deep in the Caixia Mountain mine, bringing long-term stock to over the 3 million ton mark. Last year, investment from central and local government and social funds into geological exploration in this region fr reached RMB 4.253 billion.