[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 First Batch of Total Tungsten Mine Production Control Quotas for 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the Notice), clarifying matters related to the first batch of total tungsten mine production control quotas for this year to protect and reasonably develop superior mineral resources. For 2025, the total production control quota for the first batch of tungsten mines (with a tungsten trioxide content of 65%, the same hereinafter) is 58,000 mt, allocated to 11 provinces (autonomous regions) including Inner Mongolia, Fujian, Jiangxi, Henan, Hunan, and Guangdong. Among them, the top three provinces in terms of quota are Jiangxi (21,300 mt), Hunan (15,530 mt), and Henan (7,050 mt). Compared to the first batch of quotas in 2024, the total production control quota for the first batch of tungsten mines this year has decreased by 4,000 mt. The Notice states that the total production control quota for tungsten mines will no longer distinguish between primary mining quotas and comprehensive utilisation quotas. For mines where the main mineral species registered on the mining license is another mineral species, and the tungsten ore is co-occurring or associated, and the identified tungsten resources are of large or medium scale, the total production control quota will continue to be issued, with a preference in allocation. For mines where the co-occurring or associated tungsten resources are of small scale, no total production control quota will be issued, and the mine enterprises shall report their tungsten ore production to the provincial natural resource authorities where they are located.

The original text is as follows:

Notice from the Ministry of Natural Resources on Issuing the First Batch of Total Tungsten Mine Production Control Quotas for 2025

To the natural resource 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:

To protect and reasonably develop superior mineral resources, in accordance with the relevant regulations on the management of specific mineral species subject to protective mining, we hereby notify you of the following matters related to the first batch of total tungsten mine production control quotas for 2025.

1. The total production control quota for the first batch of tungsten mines (with a tungsten trioxide content of 65%, the same hereinafter) for 2025 is 58,000 mt. See the appendix for the specific allocation.

2. The total production control quota for tungsten mines will no longer distinguish between primary mining quotas and comprehensive utilisation quotas. For mines where the main mineral species registered on the mining license is another mineral species, and the tungsten ore is co-occurring or associated, and the identified tungsten resources are of large or medium scale, the total production control quota will continue to be issued, with a preference in allocation. For mines where the co-occurring or associated tungsten resources are of small scale, no total production control quota will be issued, and the mine enterprises shall report their tungsten ore production to the provincial natural resource authorities where they are located.

3. The total production control quota for tungsten mines shall be allocated to mine enterprises by the provincial natural resource authorities. The provincial natural resource authorities shall establish a mechanism for quota allocation and dynamic adjustment, strengthen the management of quotas in their respective provinces or autonomous regions based on the actual production situations of mine enterprises, and ensure that the use of quotas is more in line with the actual mining conditions. No quotas shall be allocated to mining enterprises whose tungsten ore exploration rights and mining licenses have expired. For mines with valid mining licenses but currently out of production, no quotas shall be allocated either. Quotas will be issued once production resumes.

IV. Provincial natural resource authorities shall organize the municipal and county-level natural resource authorities in the location of the mine to sign responsibility agreements with mining enterprises for the implementation of total mining output quotas, clarifying rights, obligations, and responsibilities for breach of contract. Production exceeding quotas or without quotas shall be strictly prohibited. A certain proportion of random inspections shall be conducted on the implementation of quotas and the comprehensive utilisation of associated and co-occurring minerals, and actions such as concealing or underreporting production shall be corrected.

V. Provincial natural resource authorities shall complete the breakdown and issuance of the total tungsten ore mining output control quotas within 10 working days from the issuance of this notice, and report the breakdown to the Department of Mining Rights Management of the Ministry before April 30, 2025.

VI. Provincial natural resource authorities shall accurately compile statistics on the actual production of mining enterprises (including small-scale associated and co-occurring tungsten mines for which quotas have not been issued), and report the production situation for the first five months to the Department of Mining Rights Management of the Ministry before June 20, 2025.

Ministry of Natural Resources

April 3, 2025

Attachment:

• 2025 First Batch of Total Tungsten Ore Mining Output Control Quotas.docx

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