China concluded the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) with reserves of 14 minerals and production of 17 types leading the world, while discovering 398 large and medium-sized strategic mineral deposits, including 225 oil and gas fields, officials said on Wednesday.

According to senior officials within the Ministry of Natural Resources, the gains have strengthened the country's energy security and resource self-sufficiency.

"This has significantly enhanced the national capacity for resource self-sufficiency, supported the construction and consolidation of 198 energy resource bases, and strengthened China's position and competitiveness in the global mining industry," said Xiong Zili, director of the ministry's department of geological exploration management, at a news conference in Beijing.

Xiong emphasized that mineral resources provide a critical material foundation for economic and social development, with exploration and development tied closely to the national economy, livelihoods and security.

By the end of 2025, China held the world's largest reserves of several minerals, including rare earths, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, antimony, gallium, germanium, indium, fluorite and graphite. Reserves of nine other minerals — including coal, iron, manganese and titanium — featured among the top four rankings globally.

Xiong attributed the increase in reserves to systematic exploration efforts targeting both scarce and advantageous minerals, laying a solid foundation for resource security.

China also led the world in mineral production and metallurgical processing — methods involved in the extraction and purification of metals from ores and other material — with its industrial chain dominant position continuing to strengthen.

In 2025, China led global production in 17 minerals, including coal, vanadium, titanium, zinc, rare earths, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, antimony, gallium, indium, gold, tellurium, phosphorus, fluorite and graphite. Output of 11 of these — such as rare earths, tungsten, antimony, gallium, indium and tellurium — accounted for more than half of the global total.

The country also demonstrated a strong advantage in metallurgical processing, with output of more than 30 products leading the world. Seventeen of these products — including manganese, rare earths, aluminum, steel and copper — accounted for about half of global production.

"This shows that China is not only a major producer of mineral resources but also a dominant supplier and key leader in the global metallurgical processing industry, ensuring the stability of its industrial chain and promoting the development of emerging industries," Xiong said.

Niu Li, deputy director of the ministry's department of geological exploration management, highlighted advances in oil and gas exploration over the past five years.

Among the 225 newly discovered oil and gas fields, 13 oil fields each have reserves exceeding 100 million metric tons, and 26 gas fields each exceed 100 billion cubic meters. Compared with the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), newly proven petroleum reserves rose by 52 percent, while natural gas reserves increased by 44 percent.

The growth in reserves has also supported production. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's annual oil output remained above 200 million tons, reaching a record 216 million tons last year. Natural gas production exceeded 260 billion cu m, with annual increases of more than 10 billion cu m for nine consecutive years.

Niu said exploration has expanded in "three dimensions", with deep layers and deep seas emerging as new growth areas, helping the country "grasp the initiative of energy security in its own hands".

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), Xiong said China will launch a new round of strategic actions to boost mineral exploration, focusing on key minerals in short supply — including copper, iron, lithium, cobalt and nickel — as well as advantageous resources such as rare earths, tungsten and tin.

Efforts will include stronger land-sea coordination, expanded exploration space and intensified basic geological surveys. Authorities aim to bring a number of deposits into development by 2030 and accelerate the formation of new production capacity.

Xiong added that future exploration and mining will emphasize technological innovation and environmental protection, with a push to develop green mines. By the end of 2028, 90 percent of large-scale mines and 80 percent of medium-scale mines with valid licenses and operational are expected to meet green standards.

limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn