China's Mining Output Exceeds 32 Trillion Yuan, Global Leader in AI Chip Critical Mineral Reserves

On April 29, the Ministry of Natural Resources released China's latest mineral resource inventory data. The figures show that national mining output in 2025 reached approximately 32.7 trillion yuan, accounting for over 23% of GDP, with mineral production and smelting-processing scale ranking firmly at the top globally. Notably, reserves and production of multiple critical minerals essential for AI chip and semiconductor manufacturing rank first worldwide, providing robust resource security for the long-term development of China's AI industry.

14 Minerals Rank First Globally, Key AI Materials Among Them

According to data released by the Ministry of Natural Resources, China ranks first in the world in reserves of 14 minerals, including rare earths, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, antimony, gallium, germanium, indium, fluorite, and graphite. Among these, gallium, germanium, and indium are irreplaceable critical raw materials in semiconductor and AI chip manufacturing.

Gallium is the core material for producing gallium nitride (GaN) power devices, widely used in efficient power management for AI data centers. Germanium is an essential raw material for fiber optic communications and infrared detectors, supporting high-speed data transmission across AI computing networks. Indium is a foundational material for manufacturing ITO transparent conductive films and advanced display technologies. Additionally, rare earth elements play an indispensable role in AI hardware such as high-performance permanent magnet motors and precision sensors.

In terms of production, China also ranks first globally in output of 17 minerals in 2025, including coal, vanadium, titanium, zinc, rare earths, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, antimony, gallium, indium, gold, and tellurium — demonstrating a full-chain advantage from resource reserves to production and processing.

How Mineral Resource Advantages Empower the AI Industry

The global AI industry is currently in a phase of explosive growth, with large-scale construction of computing infrastructure driving a sharp increase in demand for upstream mineral resources. The production of AI servers, GPU chips, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and data center power equipment all depend on stable supplies of rare metals and critical minerals.

China's advantages in reserves and production capacity of these critical minerals mean the country holds significant leverage in global AI supply chain competition. Taking gallium as an example, over 90% of global gallium production comes from China, giving the country notable strategic initiative in semiconductor material supply. Since 2023, China has successively implemented export control measures on critical minerals such as gallium and germanium, further highlighting the strategic value of these resources.

Meanwhile, graphite — the core raw material for lithium battery anode materials — also benefits from China's world-leading reserves, providing ample battery supply guarantees for application scenarios such as AI mobile terminals, intelligent robots, and autonomous driving.

AI Technology Driving Intelligent Upgrades in Mining

Notably, AI technology itself is also accelerating the intelligent transformation of the mining sector. Currently, multiple domestic mining enterprises have applied AI technologies such as large language models, computer vision, and digital twins to mineral exploration, intelligent extraction, safety monitoring, and smelting optimization.

For instance, AI-based geological exploration models can significantly improve prospecting efficiency and prediction accuracy by analyzing massive geological datasets. Intelligent mining systems leverage computer vision and autonomous driving technologies to achieve unmanned mining operations, markedly enhancing safety and production efficiency. This bidirectional empowerment of "AI + Mining" is forming a virtuous cycle.

Outlook: Resource Self-Sufficiency Strengthens the Foundation for AI Development

The Ministry of Natural Resources noted that the substantial growth in resource reserves has laid a solid foundation for resource self-sufficiency and controllability. Against the backdrop of intensifying global geopolitical competition and rising supply chain security risks, China's mineral resource advantages will serve as a crucial pillar for the sustained development of the AI industry.

The 32.7 trillion yuan mining output not only reflects the robust foundation of traditional industries but also signals that in the AI era, nations controlling upstream critical resources will occupy more advantageous positions in the technology race. Looking ahead, as AI demand for advanced chips and new materials continues to grow, the strategic significance of critical mineral resources will only increase further.