China will see a widening gap between mineral demand and supply in the coming
15 years if the country continues to consume mineral deposits in the current
way, an expert has warned.
It is estimated that by 2020 China's
consumption of copper, aluminium, lead and zinc will reach 6.5 million tons,
14.4 million tons, 2.6 million tons and five million tons respectively, and the
total demand for ten major nonferrous metals will be 30 million tons.
The collection rate for China's mineral resources is only 60 percent,
ten to 20 percentage points lower than that in developed countries. The combined
collection rate for mineral intergrowth and associated minerals is only 30
percent to 50 percent, just half of that in developed countries, said the expert
who declined to be named.
Although China has led the world in nonferrous
metals output for five years in a row, the country has to find a way to balance
its growing mineral demand and inadequate domestic supply.
Sources with
the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association show the country's output of
nine nonferrous metals topped the world last year. In 2007, the country's
nonferrous metals output will increase rapidly, with prices remaining at a high
level due to rising demand.
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