近日，自然资源部发布最新找矿成果，四川冕宁县牦牛坪矿区稀土矿资源储量核实勘查项目，查明资源总量为966.56万吨稀土氧化物，同时伴生超大型萤石（2713.54万吨）、重晶石（3722.77万吨）资源。

Recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources released the latest mineral exploration results. The verification and exploration project for rare earth resources in the Naotuping mining area of Mengning County, Sichuan Province, has identified a total resource volume of 966.56 million tons of rare earth oxides. At the same time, it also discovered super-large resources of fluorite (2713.54 million tons) and barite (3722.77 million tons).

牦牛坪稀土矿系全球在产稀土矿山资源储量世界第二，仅次于内蒙古包头白云鄂博矿。对比此前已查明的316万吨资源量计算，牦牛坪稀土矿此次增储超过200%。

The Naotuoping rare earth mine is the second largest in the world in terms of existing rare earth mine resources. It ranks second only to the Baiyunbo mine in Baotou, Inner Mongolia. Compared with the previously identified 3.16 million tons of resources, the reserve increase of Naotuoping rare earth mine this time has exceeded 200%.

突破不仅是资源量的攀升。数字之外，牦牛坪稀土矿的增储，还指向更多意义。

The breakthrough is not merely an increase in the amount of resources. Beyond the numbers, the increase in reserves at the Naotuping rare earth mine also holds more significance.

打开“宝藏大门”，牦牛坪稀土矿的最初“亮相”，要回到上世纪80年代。

To open the "treasure door", the initial "appearance" of Naotuping Rare Earth Mine dates back to the 1980s.

颇具趣味儿的是，这片稀土宝藏最初被认为是普通铅锌矿点。在一次工作中，地质队员意外发现矿石标本中镧、钇含量较高，这两种稀有元素引起他们的觉察，随后拉开牦牛坪稀土矿勘探的序幕。

Interestingly, this rare earth treasure was initially regarded as an ordinary lead-zinc mining site. During a survey, the geologists unexpectedly discovered that the ore samples contained relatively high levels of lanthanum and yttrium. These two rare elements caught their attention, thus kicking off the exploration of the Naotuping rare earth mine.

牦牛坪矿的发现者之一、四川地矿集团教授级高级工程师蒲广平曾回忆第一次发现稀土矿体露头的过程，“1986年6月6日，在ZK311钻孔附近发现了一条稀土矿脉露头，并在野外记录本上进行了描述：矿脉中黄色氟碳铈矿，呈不均匀的团块状、条带状分布，颗粒粗大，达伟晶，长1—3厘米。”

One of the discoverers of the Yaokuping mine, Professor-level senior engineer Pu Guangping of Sichuan Geological Survey, once recalled the process of the first discovery of the exposed rare earth ore body. "On June 6, 1986, a rare earth ore vein was discovered near the ZK311 drilling hole, and it was described in the field record book: In the ore vein, there were yellow fluorocerium minerals, distributed in an uneven manner as lumps or strips, with large particles, up to vitreous crystals, with a length of 1 to 3 centimeters."

矿体露头是矿床存在的直接标记，这种发现无疑让地质人员振奋。回到驻地后，蒲广平对照矿物特征查阅书籍，证实为氟碳铈矿，这是牦牛坪首次野外发现稀土矿物，“宝藏大门”即将开启。

The exposed ore body is the direct indicator of the existence of a mineral deposit. This discovery undoubtedly thrilled the geologists. After returning to the base camp, Pu Guangping compared the mineral characteristics and consulted books to confirm that it was fluorocerium. This was the first time that rare earth minerals were discovered in the field at Xiaotongping, and the "treasure gate" was about to open.

此后数年，地质队员扎根矿区，历经数次勘查工作，捕捉着“宝藏”的蛛丝马迹。最终探明牦牛坪为特大型独立稀土矿床，稀土氧化物（REO）达特大型规模。这一重要成果也在1995年荣获地矿部找矿成果二等奖。

In the following years, the geological team remained in the mining area and conducted several exploration campaigns, carefully searching for any clues of the "treasure". Eventually, they discovered that Naotuping was a super-large independent rare earth deposit, with rare earth oxides (REO) reaching a large-scale level. This significant achievement also won the second prize for geological exploration results of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources in 1995.

一直以来，中国稀土资源呈现“北轻南重”的地理特征，北方多轻稀土、南方则以重稀土为主。牦牛坪稀土矿的发现，填补了南方无轻稀土的空白，改变了中国稀土的分布格局。

For a long time, China's rare earth resources have shown a geographical feature of "light in the north and heavy in the south". The north contains more light rare earths while the south mainly has heavy rare earths. The discovery of the Naotuping rare earth mine has filled the gap of no light rare earths in the south, thus changing the distribution pattern of China's rare earth resources.

认识地下矿床本就是漫长且复杂的过程，几十年来，牦牛坪的稀土勘查工作一直持续，先后开展五次详查。随着勘探技术迭代、找矿理论提升，矿区资源储量数据持续刷新。公开资料显示，到2010年，牦牛坪矿区已查明稀土氧化物（REO）储量316万吨，几乎相当于原查明储量的2倍。

Understanding underground mineral deposits is a long and complex process. For decades, the rare earth exploration work in Naociping has been ongoing, with five detailed surveys conducted successively. With the advancement of exploration technologies and the improvement of exploration theories, the data on the resource reserves of the mining area has been continuously updated. Publicly available information shows that by 2010, the Naociping mining area had identified 3.16 million tons of rare earth oxides (REO) reserves, which was almost twice the originally identified reserves.

为进一步整合稀土资源、推动产业高质量发展，2023年，牦牛坪稀土矿整合至中国稀土集团，正式成为中国稀土集团旗下一员，由其全资子公司中稀（凉山）稀土有限公司独家运营。同年，牦牛坪稀土矿储量核实（深部找矿）项目启动。

In order to further integrate rare earth resources and promote the high-quality development of the industry, in 2023, the Naotuping rare earth mine was integrated into China Rare Earth Group and officially became a member of China Rare Earth Group. It is now exclusively operated by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Zhongsi (Liangshan) Rare Earth Co., Ltd. In the same year, the verification project for the reserves of the Naotuping rare earth mine (for deep-level exploration) was initiated.

发现“深藏不露”的宝藏，此次项目集结了众多力量协同攻坚，包括中国地质科学院、四川省地质矿产勘查开发局下属第一地质大队等多方科研、勘查单位。值得一提的是，后者也是最初发现牦牛坪矿的队伍。

Discovering the "hidden treasure", this project brought together numerous forces to jointly tackle the challenge. It involved various research and exploration units, including the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and the First Geological Team of the Sichuan Geological and Mineral Exploration and Development Bureau. It is worth noting that the latter was also the team that initially discovered the Naociping Mine.

项目团队通过勘探理论与技术创新锁定矿脉方向，再以地质钻探验证矿体位置，一步步揭开资源面纱，找到地下 “鱼群” 。

The project team identified the direction of the mineral vein through exploration theories and technological innovations, and then verified the location of the mineral body through geological drilling. They gradually unveiled the veil of the resources and discovered the "fish schools" underground.

2023年底，海拔2800米之上的矿区，一台台高大钻机耸立，长长的钻杆穿越层层地层，向着千米深部持续延伸，一节节取出带着地层余温的岩芯，表面隐约闪烁着矿物特有的光泽。这些岩芯取样是判断资源储量与品位的重要依据。

By the end of 2023, in the mining area at an altitude of 2800 meters, several towering drilling machines stood tall. Long drill rods pierced through layers of rock strata and continued to extend towards the deep underground, extracting sections of rock cores that still retained the residual heat of the strata. The surfaces of these rock cores faintly glowed with the unique luster of minerals. These rock core samples are crucial evidence for determining the reserves and grades of resources.

不过，牦牛坪矿区岩性复杂、岩体破碎、裂隙发育、地下水文条件复杂。再加上稀土矿岩芯质地偏软，触感近似黏土，一用力就会像饼干一样碎成粉末。越进入地壳深部，钻杆会像柔软的面条一般难以把控，给勘探工作带来一定考验。记者了解到，硬岩岩芯可通过敲击内管取出，稀土矿岩芯要靠高压气流吹出来，每一份样品的获取都来之不易。

However, the Yako Ping mining area has complex rock formations, fragmented rock masses, developed fractures, and complex groundwater conditions. Moreover, the rock cores of the rare earth minerals are relatively soft, with a texture similar to clay. When pressed, they will break into powder like biscuits. As one goes deeper into the earth's crust, the drill pipe becomes increasingly difficult to control like a soft noodle, posing certain challenges to the exploration work. The reporter learned that hard rock cores can be extracted by tapping the inner tube, while the rare earth mineral cores need to be blown out by high-pressure air. Each sample is obtained with great difficulty.

一年的时间，项目团队扎根矿区，高峰时期现场作业人员接近200人，累计完成钻探进尺6万余米，样品测试5万余件，深单孔钻探深度达到原有最深孔的三倍多。

Over the course of one year, the project team settled in the mining area. At its peak, there were nearly 200 on-site workers. They completed a total of over 60,000 meters of drilling, conducted over 50,000 sample tests, and the depth of the deepest single hole reached more than three times the original maximum depth.

2024年，专家对牦牛坪矿区增储上产进行中期评估，预期增加资源量496万吨稀土氧化物（REO）。最终勘查成果远超预期，累计查明资源量高达966.56万吨，相较此前316万吨的公开储量，增储幅度超过200%，相当于在原有矿区基础上，又找到了两个完整的牦牛坪矿。

In 2024, experts conducted a mid-term assessment of the resource expansion and production increase project in the Naotuping mining area. It was expected that the resource volume would increase by 496 million tons of rare earth oxides (REO). The final exploration results exceeded expectations, with the cumulative identified resource volume reaching 966.56 million tons. Compared to the previously disclosed 316 million tons of reserves, the increase in resources was over 200%, equivalent to discovering two complete Naotuping mines on top of the original mining area.

今年1月，中国地质科学院公布其2025年度十大科技进展，其中包括科技创新引领攀西碳酸岩型稀土找矿取得重大突破，“在牦牛坪外围深覆盖空白区，项目部署17孔6445米钻探工程，新探获隐伏巨厚高品位稀土矿体，具大型以上的规模潜力，取得重大社会效益和经济效益。”

In January this year, the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences announced its top ten scientific and technological achievements for 2025. Among them, the innovation-driven exploration of rare earths in the Panxi area through carbonate rock methods has achieved a significant breakthrough. "In the deep and blank area surrounding Naotuping, the project deployed 17 boreholes with a total length of 6,445 meters. New concealed and massive high-grade rare earth ore bodies were discovered, with potential for large-scale development, resulting in significant social and economic benefits."

放眼全球稀土资源版图，根据美国地质调查局(USGS)今年初发布的矿产品摘要数据，2025年全球经济可采储量约8500万吨稀土氧化物（REO），主要分布在中国、巴西，俄罗斯、美国、澳大利亚等国。

Looking at the global distribution of rare earth resources, according to the mineral product summary data released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) earlier this year, the global recoverable reserves of rare earth oxides (REO) in 2025 are approximately 850 million tons, mainly distributed in China, Brazil, Russia, the United States, Australia, and other countries.

从国内资源格局来看，据公开数据，内蒙古白云鄂博矿已探明稀土工业储量4400万吨，占全国总量的83.7%；牦牛坪稀土矿床紧随其后，成为全国第二大、全球第二大在产轻稀土矿。

From the perspective of domestic resource distribution, according to public data, the Baiyunbo mine in Inner Mongolia has identified a proven industrial reserve of 44 million tons of rare earths, accounting for 83.7% of the national total; the Naotuping rare earth deposit follows closely, becoming the second largest and the second largest in the world in terms of production of light rare earths.

牦牛坪稀土矿不但资源储量较大，而且易采、易选、易冶炼，伴生有重晶石、萤石、钼等，目前已实现萤石、重晶石资源综合利用。

The Yako Ping rare earth mine not only has a large amount of resources, but also is easy to extract, process and smelt. It is accompanied by barite, fluorite, molybdenum, etc. Currently, the resources of fluorite and barite have been fully utilized for comprehensive utilization.

在稀土行业资深专家、中国稀土学会地质矿山选矿专业委员会副主任李林森看来，牦牛坪稀土矿的找矿突破，为四川稀土产业发展注入“资源底气”，助力迈入千万吨级超大型稀土基地。而且伴生的萤石属于重要战略资源，重晶石也市场向好，矿床综合开发价值与未来开发前景显著。

In the opinion of Li Linsen, a senior expert in the rare earth industry and the deputy director of the Geological and Mining Processing Committee of the China Rare Earth Society, the breakthrough in the exploration of the Naotuping rare earth mine has provided "resource support" for the development of rare earth industry in Sichuan Province, helping it enter the category of super-large rare earth bases with production capacity of tens of millions of tons. Moreover, the associated fluorite is an important strategic resource, and barite also has a promising market. The comprehensive development value and future development prospects of the mine are remarkable.

从空中俯瞰牦牛坪稀土矿，一圈圈规整的开采矿坑如同大地年轮，记录着四川稀土的发展脉络。正是牦牛坪稀土矿的发现，拉开了四川稀土产业发展的序幕。

Viewing the Yako Ping rare earth mine from the air, the neatly arranged mining pits form a series of concentric circles, resembling the rings of the earth, and they record the development history of rare earth resources in Sichuan. It was the discovery of the Yako Ping rare earth mine that kicked off the development of the rare earth industry in Sichuan.

以牦牛坪为起点，历经三十多年勘查，凉山冕宁—德昌稀土成矿带已成为我国重要的稀土成矿带，矿带内已发现冕宁牦牛坪、德昌大陆槽2处大型-超大型稀土矿床，以及多处中-大型稀土矿床，四川也因此成为全国第二大在产轻稀土资源储备地。

Starting from Xiaotuoping, after more than 30 years of exploration, the rare earth mineralization belt in Mengyin and Dechang of Liangshan has become an important rare earth mineralization belt in China. Within this belt, two large-scale to super-large rare earth deposits, namely Mengyin Xiaotuoping and Dechang Lantianxia, have been discovered, as well as many medium-sized to large-sized rare earth deposits. As a result, Sichuan has become the second-largest reserve area of light rare earth resources in the country.

依托得天独厚的稀土资源基底，四川稀土产业从单一资源开发起步，如今全省已形成从资源开发、冶炼分离到材料加工应用的全产业链布局，分布在凉山、乐山、成都、绵阳等地。

Relying on its unique rare earth resource base, the rare earth industry in Sichuan Province started with the development of a single resource. Nowadays, the entire province has established a complete industrial chain covering resource development, smelting and separation, as well as material processing and application, which is distributed in areas such as Lianjiang, Leshan, Chengdu and Mianyang.

向稀土产业强省迈进，2023年，四川五部门发布稀土产业发展“路线图”，明确到2027年，建成全国重要的稀土产业基地和具有核心竞争力的稀土产业强省，产业总体规模突破1000亿元。

Moving towards becoming a strong province in the rare earth industry, in 2023, five departments in Sichuan Province released a "roadmap" for the development of the rare earth industry, clearly stating that by 2027, a nationally important rare earth industrial base and a rare earth industry strong province with core competitiveness will be established, and the overall industrial scale will exceed 100 billion yuan.

围绕建圈强链、科技赋能等方面，四川近年来步履不停。以整合创新资源为例，2024年，推动四川省稀有稀土战略资源评价与利用四川省重点实验室优化重组，赋能稀有稀土资源综合开发。2025年，“邛海实验室”揭牌，主攻新材料研发、高端应用等中下游关键技术攻关，推动四川稀土产业高端化、绿色化、智能化。

In terms of strengthening industry clusters and enhancing supply chains, as well as leveraging technology for empowerment, Sichuan has been making continuous progress in recent years. Taking the integration of innovative resources as an example, in 2024, efforts were made to optimize and restructure the Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Strategic eva luation and Utilization of Rare Earth Resources, aiming to empower the comprehensive development of rare earth resources. In 2025, the "Qionghai Laboratory" was inaugurated, focusing on the research and development of new materials and the breakthroughs in key technologies for high-end applications, promoting the upgrading, greening and intelligence of Sichuan's rare earth industry.