Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
China Revises Its Mineral Resources Directory for the First Time in 30 Years
China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and National Development and Reform Commission have issued a revised national mineral resources directory.
It covers 174 minerals and 119 subcategories, replacing a classification system used for more than 30 years.
The revision follows new mineral resources laws and reflects changing needs for energy security and industrial development.
The directory adds, combines and renames entries, but does not remove any minerals.
It gives the government a basis for planning exploration, setting rules and tracking supplies, while strategic resources such as shale gas and high-purity quartz receive special attention.
The government is preparing approval procedures and technical standards, and says the directory will be updated as needs change.
China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Development and Reform Commission have issued a revised Mineral Resources Directory.
The directory lists 174 mineral types and 119 sub-types, replacing a classification system that had been in use for more than 30 years.
The revision adds, merges and renames minerals, but deletes none.
Officials say the changes are intended to strengthen resource security and support emerging industries.
The directory will underpin planning, regulation, licensing, statistics and enforcement related to mineral resources.
- Who
- China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Development and Reform Commission issued the directory.
- What
- China revised its Mineral Resources Directory, covering 174 mineral types and 119 sub-types.
- When
- Recently; the article was published on 2026-10-27.
- Where
- China.
- Why
- To improve resource security and adapt management to new laws and changing needs, including those of emerging industries.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
China’s previous mineral classification system began operating.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued the revised directory.
China News Service published an article explaining the revision.
- Mineral types
- 174
- Sub-types
- 119
- Previous classification system
- In use for more than 30 years
- Added minerals
- Six previously approved minerals, including shale gas, natural gas hydrates and high-purity quartz
- Changes
- Minerals were added, merged or renamed; none were deleted
- Future updates
- The ministry is studying approval procedures and technical standards for new minerals