Over the past four years, the implementation of China's new mineral exploration strategy has yielded remarkable results, particularly in the field of copper resource discoveryWith an impressive increase of more than 20 million tons of copper resources, this accomplishment is double the amount added during the "13th Five-Year Plan" periodThe Tibetan Plateau has now become home to four significant copper mineral resource bases, which have the potential to position the region as a world-class copper resource hub, thereby transforming the landscape of copper mining and exploration within China.

Recent announcements from the China Geological Survey have highlighted that the breakthrough in mineral discovery has not only occurred in the Tibetan Plateau but also in regions like HeilongjiangThe resurgence in exploration efforts has led to a pivotal shift, securing an additional 20 million tons of copper, thus significantly contributing to China’s overall mineral resources.

Copper, in its various forms such as pure copper, copper alloys, and copper compounds, plays a crucial role in several industries including electricity, household appliances, and transportation

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It is one of the key strategic minerals that underline the stability of global industrial and supply chainsFurthermore, it is vital for the development of new energy sources, new infrastructure projects, and other emerging industriesThe United Nations has even recognized copper as one of the seven essential minerals for global energy transition.

Academician Tang Juxing of the Chinese Academy of Engineering pointed out that the considerable addition of copper resources will alleviate the supply constraints that China has been facingThis move is not only key for ensuring the security of China’s copper supply chain but also holds significance for the country’s comprehensive carbon emission targets.

Currently, the Tibetan Plateau is home to four major copper resource bases, namely Yulong, Duolong, Juliong-Jiama, and Xiong Village-Zhuno, which collectively boast over 20 million tons of newly discovered copper resources during the “14th Five-Year” period

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The predicted resource potential in these areas reaches a staggering 150 million tons.

Academician Duoji has indicated that the copper resources in the Tibetan Plateau account for more than two-thirds of the national totalThe discoveries made so far represent only the tip of the iceberg, revealing significant potential for further exploration and developmentThis region is indeed poised to evolve into a world-class copper resource base, with an anticipated shift in China’s copper prospecting and development frameworks.

The copper resources on the Tibetan Plateau are primarily distributed across several mineral belts: the Bangong Lake–Nu River mineral belt, the Gangdisi mineral belt, and the Sanjiang mineral beltThese areas are considered strategic reserves for China’s copper resourcesThe Bangong Lake–Nu River mineral belt, located in the heart of the Tibetan Plateau and often referred to as "the roof of the world's roof," stands at an average altitude of over 4,500 meters

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In recent years, large-scale geological mapping has led to significant breakthroughs in the Duolong copper-gold mining district and the Garqun-Galal copper-gold mining district, drawing considerable interest from geologistsAs of now, the Duolong copper resource alone exceeds 20 million tons, with a recent breakthrough adding another 6.57 million tons.

Meanwhile, work conducted in the eastern segment of the Gangdisi mineral belt has revealed several large-scale copper resource bases, each exceeding 10 million tonsThis mineral belt has now identified more than 43 million tons of copper resources, positioning it as China's first potential world-class copper belt capable of rivaling the Andes in South AmericaIn addition, significant breakthroughs in deep exploration at the Duobao Mountain copper mine in Heilongjiang have resulted in an additional 3.65 million tons of copper resources, reinforcing the resource foundation of the eastern copper base.

Tang Juxing emphasizes the importance of copper as a critical metal for a manufacturing giant like China

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It is particularly essential in the development and utilization of green energy, with wind power, hydropower, and solar energy relying heavily on copperMoreover, the burgeoning market for new energy vehicles demands a substantial amount of copper resources for production.

In recent years, the global copper industry has faced significant challenges, with market volatility and a slight decrease in copper concentrate productionThe supply-demand dynamics of refined copper have tightened considerably, resulting in fluctuating copper pricesAs China’s economy navigates a "new normal," the country has shifted from being a net exporter to the world’s largest consumer and importer of copper, with annual consumption accounting for over 50% of the global total and maintaining an import dependence of over 85% for the last decade.

Experts predict steady growth in traditional copper consumption, driven by its extensive applications in emerging sectors such as new energy vehicles and solar energy

For example, the amount of copper used in a single electric vehicle is four times greater than that of a traditional fuel vehicle, turning the new energy sector into a vital growth point for copper consumption in China.

Tang advocates for future copper resource exploration to depend on large mining enterprises, acting as models for resource identification and expansionAdditionally, the approved National Major Special Projects for deep mineral investigations could provide technological innovations that will support copper resource discoveryFurthermore, new mining fields could be explored in various regions, including areas like Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, and the Tianshan Altai region.

A representative from the China Geological Survey has indicated a commitment to intensifying foundational geological surveys of mineral resourcesThe focus will be on actively guiding and encouraging investments from local governments, businesses, and social capital to significantly enhance green exploration and development, with a goal of establishing a number of new large copper resource bases.