According to the 2012 National Conference on Geological Survey in February, the distribution of important mineral resources in China is undergoing a full change as public geological surveys intensify and a series of world-level mineral bases have been discovered in the western regions.

Wang Min, the Vice Minister of Land and Resources, said that the lead and zinc minerals in Huayuan-Fenghuang, Hunan have increased 3 million tons and may exceed 20 million tons,reaching the world level. It is estimated that the large copper and gold mines in Duobuza and Bolong, Tibet contain 5.77 million ton copper resources and 260 ton gold. The iron ore in the iron and copper mine in Awulale, Xinjiang is increased by 260 million tons and reaches a total of 1.08 billion tons. Molahe and Qikeerke iron mines were discovered in the west Kunlun Taxkorgan area with a total estimated of 800 million ton resources. Two super-large iron multi-metal mines and four large copper multimetal mines were explored in Qimantage area,Qinghai with 480 million iron resources and 4.2 million ton copper, lead and zinc resources.A total of 70 ton gold resources were explored in the Daqiao gold mine of Gansu. It is very likely to form a group of large iron ore bases,10 million ton-level copper lead and zinc ore bases, 1,000 ton-level gold ore bases and 100 million ton-level bauxite bases in the western regions, thus gradually changing the distribution of important mineral resources in China.