[Important] Ministry of Natural Resources: The total control indicator for the first batch of tungsten ore mining in 2025 is 58,000 mt

The Ministry of Natural Resources recently issued the "Notice on Issuing the Total Control Targets for Tungsten Mining in 2025 (First Batch)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"), clarifying relevant matters for the first batch of total control targets for tungsten mining this year, in order to protect and rationally develop advantageous mineral resources. In 2025, the total control target for the first batch of tungsten mining (with 65% tungsten trioxide content, the same hereinafter) is 58,000 mt, allocated to 11 provinces (regions) including Inner Mongolia, Fujian, Jiangxi, Henan, Hunan, and Guangdong. The top three in terms of allocation are Jiangxi province (21,300 mt), Hunan province (15,530 mt), and Henan province (7,050 mt). Compared to the first batch of targets in 2024, the total control target for the first batch of tungsten mining this year decreased by 4,000 mt. The "Notice" stated that the total control targets for tungsten mining will no longer distinguish between primary mining targets and comprehensive utilisation targets. For mines with other primary minerals and associated tungsten ore registered in the mining license, if the identified tungsten resources are large or medium-sized, the total control targets will continue to be issued, with a bias in allocation. For mines with small associated tungsten resources, no total control targets will be issued, and the mine enterprises shall report the tungsten production to the provincial natural resources authorities where they are located.

Original text:

Notice of the Ministry of Natural Resources on Issuing the Total Control Targets for Tungsten Mining in 2025 (First Batch)

To the natural resources authorities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Heilongjiang Province, Zhejiang Province, Anhui Province, Fujian Province, Jiangxi Province, Henan Province, Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Yunnan Province, Shaanxi Province, Gansu Province, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region:

In order to protect and rationally develop advantageous mineral resources, in accordance with the relevant regulations on the management of specific minerals for protective mining, the relevant matters for the first batch of total control targets for tungsten mining in 2025 are hereby notified as follows.

1. The total control target for the first batch of tungsten mining in 2025 (with 65% tungsten trioxide content, the same hereinafter) is 58,000 mt. The specific allocation is detailed in the attachment.

2. The total control targets for tungsten mining will no longer distinguish between primary mining targets and comprehensive utilisation targets. For mines with other primary minerals and associated tungsten ore registered in the mining license, if the identified tungsten resources are large or medium-sized, the total control targets will continue to be issued, with a bias in allocation. For mines with small associated tungsten resources, no total control targets will be issued, and the mine enterprises shall report the tungsten production to the provincial natural resources authorities where they are located.

3. The total control targets for tungsten mining shall be allocated by the provincial natural resources authorities to the mine enterprises. The provincial natural resources authorities shall establish a mechanism for target allocation and dynamic adjustment, strengthen the management of the targets in their provinces and autonomous regions based on the actual production of the mine enterprises, and make the target usage more aligned with the actual mining situation. No targets shall be allocated to mine enterprises with expired tungsten exploration rights and mining licenses; no targets shall be allocated to mines with valid mining licenses but in a state of suspension, and targets shall be issued upon resumption of production.

4. The provincial natural resources authorities shall organize the municipal and county-level natural resources authorities where the mines are located to sign the responsibility agreement for the implementation of the total mining targets with the mine enterprises, clarifying the rights, obligations, and liabilities for breach of contract, and strictly prohibit production exceeding or without targets. A certain proportion of spot checks shall be conducted on the implementation of the targets and the comprehensive utilisation of associated minerals, and behaviors such as concealing or omitting production shall be corrected.

5. The provincial natural resources authorities shall complete the decomposition and issuance of the total control targets for tungsten mining within 10 working days from the issuance of this notice, and report the decomposition to the Department of Mining Rights Management of the Ministry by April 30, 2025.

6. The provincial natural resources authorities shall accurately count the actual production of the mine enterprises (including small associated tungsten mines without issued targets), and report the production situation of the first five months to the Department of Mining Rights Management of the Ministry by June 20, 2025.

Ministry of Natural Resources

April 3, 2025

Attachment:

Total Control Targets for Tungsten Mining in 2025 (First Batch).docx

Click to view the link details: Notice of the Ministry of Natural Resources on Issuing the Total Control Targets for Tungsten Mining in 2025 (First Batch)