ABSTRACT
Mineral and energy resources are among the mainstays of prosperity for any country or community. In China, with a population of more than 1 billion, knowledge about the extent and availability of mineral and energy resources must be the cornerstone of development policies. China has iron deposits of various genetic types, but two-thirds of proven iron ore reserves fall into two categories: the metasedimentary type and the magmatic differentiation type. China was one of the first countries in the world to mine copper. China is the richest country in tungsten resources in the world and one of the major exporters of tungsten. Geological and geochemical studies and exploration of rare earths and rare earth metals have been carried out since the 1950s. Phosphorous resources are plentiful in China; most of them are phosphorites of marine origin. The range of coal types is complete and includes anthracite, lignite, bituminous, and coking coal.
