Overview
- State surveys at the Maoniuping mine in Sichuan add 9.7 million tonnes of rare earth oxides, lifting proven reserves there to 10.4 million tonnes.
- Authorities also identified 27.1 million tonnes of fluorite and 37.2 million tonnes of baryte at Maoniuping, with both classified as super‑large deposits.
- A separate survey in Gansu found 51,455 tonnes of antimony in Tanchang county, which officials say will raise local proven reserves by more than 50%.
- Experts emphasize fluorite’s role in semiconductor and lithium‑ion battery production and baryte’s indispensability for oil and gas drilling and blowout control.
- Within China’s tighter export controls and longer‑term licensing, recent customs data show rare‑earth magnet shipments to the EU up 28.4% in Jan–Feb 2026 to 4,775 tonnes, while exports to the US fell 22.5% to 994 tonnes.