A major breakthrough in uranium exploration has been made in the Jingchuan area of China’s Ordos Basin, Xinhua News Agency reported on 10 January 2025. The discovery of an extra-large uranium deposit is expected to significantly increase uranium resources and improve uranium supply security in China.  

The announcement was made by the China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources in collaboration with the Changqing Oilfield Branch of China Petroleum, China Nuclear Geology and other partners. The newly discovered uranium deposit has been classified as extra large in terms of resource reserves.  

This discovery marks a significant milestone in China’s strategic exploration efforts and represents the world’s first identification of an extra-large uranium deposit in aeolian sandstone formations. Aeolian sandstones are widely distributed across China in regions such as the Tarim Basin, Junggar Basin and Songliao Basin, covering an area of approximately 200,000 km².  

The discovery of the Jingchuan uranium deposit is expected to establish a new model for uranium exploration in China, significantly increase the country’s uranium reserves and strengthen the security of its uranium resources.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)