China has announced the discovery of significant new deposits of high-purity quartz, a crucial mineral in the production of semiconductors and solar panels, potentially challenging the United States’ current dominance in the global supply of this critical resource, Bloomberg reports.
The announcement, made Thursday by the Ministry of Natural Resources, highlights Beijing’s strategic efforts to reduce its reliance on foreign sources and secure supply chains amid escalating trade tensions with the US. Xinhua News Service, the state-backed news agency, lauded the discovery as a key step in bolstering China’s high-tech industry.
The Ministry of Natural Resources stated that the deposits were found in Henan province in central China in December 2020 and in Xinjiang in western China in October 2021. While the announcement confirms the existence of the deposits, it offered no specific details regarding their size or the potential timeline and investment required to develop them into productive mines.
High-purity quartz is a vital component in both the solar and semiconductor industries. It is used to manufacture the inner layer of crucibles employed in the production of ultra-refined polysilicon wafers. Currently, the US holds a commanding position in the global high-purity quartz market, with over 80% of commercial supply originating from two mines near Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
The timing of China’s announcement is significant, as it underscores the country’s determination to minimize its vulnerabilities in the ongoing trade war with the United States. By securing its own domestic supply of high-purity quartz, China aims to reduce potential leverage points that the US might exploit in the escalating economic conflict.
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