Notice from the Ministry of Land and Resources on Issuing the 2010 Total Production Control Targets for Tungsten, Antimony, and Rare Earth Mines

(1) Key projects approved by the State Council, as well as comprehensive and essential detailed exploration projects funded by the Central Geological Exploration Fund or special provincial fiscal funds. For nationwide projects involving tungsten, antimony, and rare earth mineral exploration—whether financed by the Central Geological Exploration Fund or provincial fiscal special funds—those already included in provincial mineral resource plans and approved by the Ministry may apply directly to the Ministry for prospecting rights, provided they submit the relevant budget allocation documents, according to the approved plan. However, for projects not explicitly outlined in provincial mineral resource plans, the respective provincial departments must first develop a dedicated exploration plan along with an annual schedule for prospecting rights allocation. After obtaining Ministry approval, these plans, accompanied by the required budget documents, can then be submitted to the Ministry to initiate the exploration registration process. Importantly, projects funded by the Central Geological Exploration Fund or provincial fiscal special funds must not be combined with corporate funding. Upon completion of exploration, these areas will be designated as mineral reserves and managed by the Ministry, which will strategically release them to competitive public bidding for prospecting rights based on market demand.

National Land and Resources Development Document No. 30, 2010

　　To protect and efficiently utilize China's advantageous mineral resources, in accordance with regulations governing planned extraction for specifically designated minerals subject to protective mining practices, and based on the Mineral Resources Plan as well as the "Provisional Regulations on Exploration and Mining Management of Specifically Designated Minerals Subject to Protective Mining" (Document No. [2009]165 issued by the Ministry of Land and Resources), after comprehensive consideration of factors such as resource reserves, existing exploration rights, mining right arrangements, and market demand trends, the Ministry has decided to continue implementing total output control measures for tungsten, antimony, and rare earth minerals. Furthermore, effective until June 30, 2011, new applications for exploration and mining registration of tungsten, antimony, and rare earth minerals will, in principle, be suspended. Relevant details are hereby notified as follows.

　　I. In 2010, the national total production quota for tungsten concentrate (with a tungsten trioxide content of 65%) was set at 80,000 tons, including a primary mining quota of 66,480 tons and a quota for comprehensive utilization of 13,520 tons. For antimony ore (metal content), the overall production cap was 100,000 tons, with 69,520 tons allocated as the total mining quota to each province (region). An additional 30,480 tons designated for comprehensive utilization were temporarily not assigned to individual provinces (regions). Meanwhile, the national production quota for rare earth minerals (expressed as rare earth oxide REO) was capped at 89,200 tons, broken down into 77,000 tons of light rare earths and 12,200 tons of medium-to-heavy rare earths.

　　II. The land and resource administrative departments of each province (region, municipality) shall, in accordance with the total mining control targets for tungsten, antimony, and rare earth mines issued by the Ministry, carefully carry out the task of breaking down and allocating these targets based on the reserve status and resource development/ utilization conditions of mining enterprises within their jurisdictions. Ensure that the control targets are assigned to cities, counties, and individual mining enterprises, with responsibilities clearly divided at each level and implementation thoroughly enforced. By the end of April 2010, report the breakdown and allocation details back to the Ministry.

　　III. The land and resources administrative departments of each province (region, municipality) shall implement effective measures to ensure compliance with all requirements outlined in the "Provisional Regulations on the Exploration and Mining Management of Specifically Protected Mineral Resources," including signing responsibility and contract documents for total mining output control, assigning dedicated personnel to oversee the implementation of control targets by mining enterprises, and rigorously enforcing the land and resources statistical reporting system.

　　4. Prior to June 30, 2011, new applications for exploration and mining registration of tungsten, antimony, and rare earth minerals will be suspended, except in the cases listed below.

　　(1) Key projects approved by the State Council, as well as comprehensive and necessary detailed exploration projects funded by the Central Geological Exploration Fund or special provincial fiscal funds. For nationwide projects involving tungsten, antimony, and rare earth mineral exploration financed by either the Central Geological Exploration Fund or provincial fiscal专项资金, those already included in provincial mineral resource plans and approved by the Ministry may apply directly to the Ministry for prospecting rights according to the approved plan, provided they submit the relevant budget allocation documents. For projects not explicitly outlined in provincial mineral resource plans, the respective provincial departments must first develop a dedicated exploration plan along with an annual schedule for prospecting rights allocation, which, after obtaining Ministry approval, can then be submitted to the Ministry along with the required budget documents to initiate the exploration registration process. Importantly, projects funded by the Central Geological Exploration Fund or provincial fiscal专项资金 must not be combined with corporate funding. Upon completion of exploration, these areas will be designated as mineral reserves and managed by the Ministry, which will strategically release them to competitive public bidding for prospecting rights based on market demand.

　　(II) Mining and exploration rights that already exist in the integrated mining areas, as defined by the provincial mineral resource development and integration implementation plan, need to be consolidated.

　　(III) Existing mining enterprises that have genuinely exhausted resources within their mining rights area and are unable to maintain normal production may apply to expand their exploration and mining operations into adjacent areas utilizing their existing production systems.

　　(IV) In accordance with the central government's relevant regional economic support policies, the ministry has signed agreements with the people's governments of relevant provinces (autonomous regions, and municipalities), identifying specific construction projects that require support.

　　V. The ministry will rigorously review quarterly reports on the implementation of total production control targets for tungsten, antimony, and rare earth mines across various regions, and will organize inspections to ensure compliance with these targets. If any challenges arise during the implementation of total control measures in your region, please report them to the ministry promptly.

　　March 4, 2010