Part Six: Mineral development

Dr Sun Yat-sen believed the mining industry was the main force driving the progress of material civilization and economy. Mining has always been an important part of China's national economy. By the end of 2007, China had discovered 168 kinds of mineral resources. 153 of those are proved reserves, including eight kinds of energy minerals, 54 kinds of metal minerals, 88 kinds of non-metal minerals, three kinds of groundwater and gas minerals. China had also developed 124,930 mines. Currently, the proved reserves of coal seam gas have come up to 170 billion cubic meters, with an annual output of 700 million cubic meters and an annual production capacity of 2.5 billion cubic meters.

Workers levigating tin from stannolite in Yunnan province at the beginning of the 20th century. [Photo/All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and China Intercontinental Press]

Thermal coal being uploaded to a special train at the railway transport department of Huaibei Mining (Group) Co Ltd. [Photo/All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and China Intercontinental Press]

Liudian Coal Mine of Huaibei Mining (Group) Co Ltd was put into trial operation on July 1, 2009. The mine was a provincial level key project. [Photo/All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and China Intercontinental Press]

Workers unload iron ore imported from India at the Port of Rizhao, Shangdong province on April 2, 2010. China is a major steel producer as well as a major iron ore consumer. [Photo/All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and China Intercontinental Press]