China discovers ultra-rich nickel-cobalt mineral, officially named "Jinxiu Mine"
A new mineral has been officially recognized by the International Mineralogical Association, marking a major breakthrough in China's geological research. The mineral - a nickel-bismuth-antimony-arsenic sulfide - was discovered in the Longhua nickel-cobalt deposit located in Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County, Guangxi Province. It has been formally named "Jinxiu Mine" (锦绣矿) in Chinese.
According to the China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources, the deposit contains exceptionally high concentrations of nickel and cobalt: approximately 17.5% nickel and 1.5% cobalt. These figures are nearly 80 times higher than conventional industrial benchmarks, which typically hover around 0.2% for nickel and 0.02% for cobalt.
The mineral was discovered and submitted for approval by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. After review and voting by the International Mineralogical Association's New Mineral Nomenclature and Classification Committee, the mineral was officially approved and named.
This discovery is expected to have significant implications for China's strategic resource development, especially in the context of growing demand for nickel and cobalt in battery production and clean energy technologies.
The Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS), established in 1956, is one of China's leading institutions for earth science research. It operates under the Ministry of Natural Resources and focuses on mineral exploration, geological mapping, and resource assessment. CAGS has played a key role in discovering and cataloging new minerals, contributing to China's growing influence in global geoscience. Its work supports national priorities in energy, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.
