China has made a significant breakthrough in mineral exploration on the Tibetan Plateau, and scientists say the region could become a world-class copper resource base.
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More than 20 million metric tonnes of new copper resources have been uncovered on the Tibetan Plateau, researchers from the China Geological Survey said on Monday. That compares with 53 million tonnes of proven copper reserves on the plateau as of 2021, which accounted for more than half of China’s total copper reserves.
The researchers estimate that the plateau’s copper potential could reach 150 million tonnes, spread across four key resource bases: Yulong, Duolong, Jiulong-Jiama, and Xiongcun-Zhuno.
Known as China’s most important “strategic resource reserve base”, the Tibetan Plateau is rich in vital minerals such as copper, chromium, cobalt, lead and zinc, accounting for 30-90 per cent of the nation’s reserves in these categories, according to the website of the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research.
China’s demand for copper is immense. Data from the International Copper Study Group shows that global consumption of refined copper in 2023 totalled 27.01 million tonnes, with China consuming more than half, cementing its position as the world’s largest copper consumer.
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The four leading sectors driving China’s copper consumption – electric power, home appliances, transport and construction – accounted for 79 per cent of the country’s total copper use in 2023.