China has just made a discovery that could reshape the global energy market. A massive uranium deposit, far larger than anything seen in recent years, has been found deep within the Ordos Desert.
A groundbreaking discovery of uranium has been made in the Ordos Desert in Inner Mongolia, China. This major find, located in the Jingchuan area of the Ordos Basin, could have far-reaching effects on both China’s energy strategy and the global uranium market. Researchers estimate that the deposit contains 30 million tonnes of uranium, a quantity that could drastically change the landscape of nuclear power generation for decades to come.
Unveiling a Hidden Resource in the Ordos Desert
The Ordos Desert, a vast region known for its extreme climate and desert terrain, has been home to many valuable resources, including natural gas and coal. However, few would have expected it to harbor such a substantial uranium deposit. This discovery marks the first time that uranium has been found in aeolian sandstone, a geological formation previously unexplored for this resource.
According to China Daily, the China Geological Survey (CGS), under the Ministry of Natural Resources, led the efforts to identify and confirm the existence of this uranium-rich area. Their advanced exploration methods and state-of-the-art technologies allowed them to identify uranium in a region that had long been considered inhospitable for mining.
The Significance for China’s Energy Security
This discovery is a pivotal moment for China’s nuclear energy strategy. With the global shift toward clean energy and a growing demand for nuclear power, securing a domestic uranium supply has become increasingly important for China. The country is rapidly expanding its nuclear power infrastructure, with eleven new nuclear reactors currently under construction to meet its rising energy needs.
Experts suggest that this uranium deposit could play a critical role in ensuring China’s energy independence for many decades. According to Zhao Xiangbin, chief strategist at Beijing Gold and Forex Fortune Investment Management, the discovery is primarily a safeguard against vulnerabilities in the uranium supply chain. With rising global tensions and geopolitical risks affecting resource imports, a steady domestic uranium supply is crucial for China’s long-term energy security.
A New Chapter in Global Uranium Exploration
This find is not just significant for China; it could reshape the global uranium market. Traditionally, the uranium market has been dominated by countries like Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia. The potential for China to enter the market as a major uranium producer could disrupt current supply chains and pricing structures.
The discovery also opens up new possibilities for uranium exploration in similar geological formations. Jin Ruoshi, the chief scientist on uranium at CGS, highlighted that the new discovery in aeolian sandstone could lead to further large-scale deposits being found in other areas across China. The Ordos Basin is just one region among many in China that could hold more untapped resources, particularly in the Tarim, Junggar, and Songliao basins, where aeolian sandstone is also prevalent.
Addressing Environmental Concerns
While the discovery of this massive uranium deposit holds great promise, it also presents several environmental challenges. Extracting uranium in a region with such harsh conditions, where water and other resources are scarce, raises concerns about the ecological impact of mining activities. Managing waste products, such as radioactive materials, and minimizing disruption to local ecosystems will require careful planning and oversight.
The Chinese government will likely face public scrutiny regarding the environmental consequences of uranium mining in the Ordos Desert. As the nation pushes forward with its nuclear ambitions, balancing environmental protection with the need for energy security will be an ongoing challenge.
As the world increasingly focuses on carbon-neutral energy solutions, the implications of this discovery extend beyond China’s borders. Uranium, which powers nuclear reactors, is poised to become even more critical in the global transition toward clean energy. The find in Ordos is an important step in solidifying China’s position as a leader in nuclear energy development, both domestically and on the world stage.
DATE . May/11/2025