A large magnesium-rich dolomite deposit with estimated resources of 700 million metric tons has been discovered in Pingliang city, Gansu province, local authorities said on Wednesday. The find represents a major breakthrough in mineral exploration in the Chinese region.

According to the Gansu Provincial Department of Natural Resources, geological surveys identified the deposit in the Zhuanmatai area of Kongtong district. The site contains five layered ore bodies suitable for magnesium smelting, with an average magnesium oxide (MgO) content of 20.67 percent, indicating high-quality reserves.

Officials said the deposit's large scale, shallow depth, gentle dip angle and stable thickness make it ideal for open-pit mining. Within the defined mining boundary, proven reserves of magnesium-smelting dolomite exceed 700 million tons, alongside an additional 300 million tons of construction-grade dolomite.

Beyond its use in metallic magnesium production, dolomite is widely applied in industries such as refractories, metallurgy, glassmaking and ceramics, offering strong potential for integrated resource utilization and industrial development.