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The new “gold rush” in the highest mountains in the world is led by China: One of the most valuable mineral deposits on the planet is hidden there!
A China is intensifying its efforts to mining in the Himalayas, not just in search of gold, but of crucial elements for modern technology: the rare Lands. This new 21st century gold rush, driven by the desire to maintain global leadership in the production and distribution of these valuable minerals, is transforming the world's largest mountain range into a strategic battlefield, according to ignbrasil.
The hidden treasure of the Himalayas
In the last years, Chinese geologists found out large reserves of rare earths beneath the majestic Himalayan mountains. This discovery, published by South China Morning Post (SCMP) newspaper, is the result of a decade of research that began with rock samples collected in Tibet. Scientists believe that the deposit in the Himalayas it could rival or even surpass some of the largest rare earth reserves ever explored in China, further reinforcing Chinese dominance in the sector.
In a 2017 study published in the journal Science China Earth Science, researchers indicated the existence of two strips of more than a thousand kilometers with significant mineral potential. These tracks, known as the Tethyan and High Himalayan belts, could become the most important metallogenic belts in China.
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Technical and geopolitical challenges
However, the exploration of these deposits It is not a simple task. O Himalayas are a remote and difficult to access region, with mineral deposits spread over a vast area. Locating and extracting these rare minerals can take years, if not decades, of hard work.
In addition to the technical challenges, there are also geopolitical issues. A China there is a territorial dispute long-standing with the India on the southern border of Tibet, which further complicates mineral exploration in the region. In 2019, a Swiss organization warned that Chinese mining in the Himalayas could exacerbate tensions between Beijing and New Delhi, especially after the discovery of significant reserves of gold and silver in the area.
AI technology in mining
To speed up exploration and minimize risks, China is investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Researchers at the State Laboratory of Geological Processes and Resources at the Chinese University of Geosciences in Wuhan have developed a AI tool that uses satellite data to locate rare earth deposits with an impressive 96% accuracy. This technology promises to revolutionize mining, allowing China to identify and explore new deposits faster than its competitors.
A AI not only makes it easier to find minerals like niobium, tantalum and lithium, but also offers a crucial strategic advantage. The sooner China can identify and exploit these deposits, the greater its advantage will be in the global rare earths market.
Maintain hegemony in the production of rare earths
China's position as world leader in the production and processing of rare earths is unquestionable. In 2022, the East Asia Forum estimated that China held between 50% and 60% of the rare earth mining market and around 90% of intermediate processing. With important production bases in Inner Mongolia and southern provinces, China continues to dominate this strategic sector.
However, this hegemony is being challenged. In the 80s and 90s, China had around 43% of the world's rare earth reserves, but this percentage has dropped to less than 37% in 2021. Countries such as Türkiye, Japan, Europe and the United Statess are intensifying their own searches for these crucial minerals, using advanced technologies, including AI, to compete with China in extracting the “new gold”.
The future of mining in the Himalayas
Mineral exploration in the Himalayas represents both an opportunity and a challenge for China. With a combination of advanced technology and a relentless desire to maintain its hegemony, China is well positioned to exploit these valuable resources. However, the technical, environmental and geopolitical challenges cannot be underestimated.
The rush to mine rare earths in the Himalayas is a reflection of dynamic changes in the global natural resource landscape. As the demand for emerging technologies and the green transition increase, competition for these essential minerals will only intensify. And, at the center of this competition, the China continues to play a crucial role, using all the tools at its disposal to stay at the forefront.
