— Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Birth of the Theory on Prospecting for Minerals Based on Existing Mines

　　 ◎ Wang Yuping

　　"Prospecting around known mineral deposits" is an important prospecting method that involves conducting mineral exploration in areas where there are already known prospecting clues. Elevating "prospecting around known mineral deposits" from a philosophical level to the height of a scientific theory of mineral exploration began with Comrade Zhu Xun’s article, “On Prospecting Around Known Mineral Deposits,” published in the Geological Bulletin in May 1982.

　　 I. The Connotation of the Theory of Mineral Prospecting Based on Existing Mines

　　Engels said, “A nation that aspires to stand at the pinnacle of science cannot for a single moment do without theoretical thinking.” Comrade Zhu Xun, the founder of China’s discipline of “Philosophy of Mineral Exploration,” developed the “Mineral-Based Prospecting” theory through summarizing practical experience in mineral exploration, analyzing ore-forming geological theories, and conducting philosophical generalizations. In May 1982, Comrade Zhu Xun published an article titled “On Mineral-Based Prospecting” in the journal Geology Report. At the time, Comrade Sun Dagang, then Minister of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources, issued an important directive praising the article highly and requested that all members of the ministry’s Party group circulate it and forward it to the Department of Geological Exploration for review. Comrade Zhu Xun summarized and generalized the rich implications of mineral-based prospecting into five key aspects: First, discovering new ore deposits by evaluating known mineral occurrences, examining various anomalies, or following other relevant clues; second, searching for new deposits of the same type around known ore-forming prospective areas (zones) or around already identified ore deposits of industrial value; third, extending resource prospects by tracing the spatial continuity of known ore bodies in old mining districts; fourth, identifying new ore bodies, fresh mineralized strata, and novel types of mineralization within the boundaries of known ore deposits; and fifth, expanding resource prospects within known ore deposits through comprehensive evaluation and integrated exploration of coexisting minerals and associated beneficial components. These five aspects, though seemingly ordinary, reveal profound insights and provide ample room for thought and innovation in geological mineral exploration. Since then, the mineral-based prospecting theory has become an important theoretical and practical perspective in geological mineral exploration, exerting broad and far-reaching influence on China’s geological survey efforts. On June 30, 2012, Comrade Xu Shaoshi, then Minister of the Ministry of Land and Resources, issued a directive stating, “Mineral-based prospecting remains vitally important.” On June 19, 2012, Vice Minister Xu Deming issued a directive noting, “It has been 30 years since Minister Zhu Xun’s theoretical article ‘On Mineral-Based Prospecting’ was first published in the Geology Report. Even today, reading it still holds great guiding significance for promoting breakthroughs in our mineral exploration strategy. I suggest that we re-publish it across all our media outlets so that geological explorers—especially the younger generation—can study it carefully.” Later that same year, the China Geological Survey invited relevant experts and exploration institutions to hold a symposium to discuss the theory of mineral-based prospecting.

　 　Second, the “mineral-seeking theory” is a scientific theory with a philosophical theoretical foundation.

　　Engels pointed out: “Marx’s entire worldview is not a doctrine but a method. It provides not ready-made dogmas, but rather starting points for further research and methods for conducting such research.” “Our theory is a developing theory, not a dogma that must be memorized by rote and mechanically repeated.” “If we treat the materialist method not as a guide for studying history, but as a ready-made formula to be applied rigidly to fit historical facts, it will inevitably turn into its own opposite.” According to the epistemological principles of dialectical materialism, for any mineralization belt, it is impossible to fully grasp the spatial distribution of deposits in three-dimensional space or the specific occurrence conditions of complex ore bodies in a single exploration effort. Instead, only through a repeated cycle of practice—cognition, then re-practice—re-cognition can we arrive at a relatively comprehensive and profound understanding. Further exploration and analysis of prospecting leads that have not yet received either an affirmative or negative evaluation may well yield new insights different from those obtained previously. Forty years ago, Comrade Zhu Xun pointed out that to further enhance the guiding role of the theory of prospecting based on existing mineral deposits, we must properly handle several key relationships: First, we must correctly understand the relationship between theoretical prospecting and prospecting based on existing mineral deposits. Whether exploring new areas or focusing on existing deposits, both types of prospecting require the guidance of geological theories. Second, we must attach great importance to the application of new technologies and methods. In the process of prospecting based on existing mineral deposits, technological methods play a crucial role—especially geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques, which can guide accurate borehole positioning and reduce the arbitrariness involved in drilling operations. Third, we must effectively integrate prospecting in new areas with prospecting based on existing mineral deposits. “Prospecting based on existing mineral deposits” and “prospecting in new areas” represent two distinct approaches carried out in regions with varying degrees of geological exploration work; they are two complementary and mutually reinforcing strategies within geological exploration efforts.

　　In the 1950s, the Dexing copper deposit was confirmed as a super-large copper deposit, and extensive research was conducted on it. Yet, after two or three decades had passed, further scientific studies and a second round of exploration—coupled with renewed insights—have led to significant advances in both the estimated scale of the deposit and our understanding of its geological characteristics. Nevertheless, even today we cannot claim that our knowledge is complete or that the deposit’s scale has reached its maximum potential. This is because there remain several theoretical and practical issues that still need to be addressed, and the entire copper ore field continues to hold the potential for further expansion. Thus, it becomes clear that a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of a mineral deposit is seldom achievable through just one or two rounds of work; rather, it typically requires a process of repeated exploration and learning—a gradual deepening of understanding and continuous improvement. Therefore, conducting mineral exploration within old mining areas, their immediate vicinity, or within known metallogenic belts is entirely consistent with the epistemology of dialectical materialism.

　　 Third, the “mineral-seeking theory” is a scientific theory grounded in geological theory.

　　In known ore deposits—particularly in geological settings similar to those near large deposits—searching for analogous deposits, though perhaps varying in scale, can still yield promising results. After recognizing that the copper mineralization at the Chengmen Shan copper deposit consists of layered copper bodies, all of which are oxidized into iron caps at the surface and occur within interlayer fracture zones situated between the base of the Carboniferous Huanglong Limestone and the Devonian Wutong Sandstone, geologists from the Northwest Jiangxi Geological Brigade compared this deposit with the Wushan mining area located on the periphery of Chengmen Shan. They found that not only do the geological conditions in Wushan closely resemble those at Chengmen Shan, but iron caps also occur along the unconformity between the Huanglong Limestone and the Wutong Sandstone there. Based on this observation, they inferred that similar layered copper bodies might also exist deep beneath the iron-cap zone in Wushan. Consequently, they launched targeted exploration efforts focused on these deposits, and soon after, a large-scale copper deposit was discovered in the northern ore belt of the Wushan mining area, thereby confirming the accuracy of their earlier inference. This represents one of the successful examples of using geological analogy as a method for mineral exploration in Jiangxi Province.

　　The formation of ore deposits is the result of the combined effects of various geological factors. Their existence is by no means a random or isolated geological phenomenon; rather, they are intrinsically and organically linked to the surrounding geological environment. The occurrence of a particular set of integrated geological processes capable of forming a specific ore deposit typically spans a certain spatial extent—both in terms of horizontal breadth and vertical depth—and rarely confines itself to an extremely small area roughly equivalent to the spatial dimensions of a single ore deposit. This is precisely why similar ore deposits often occur in clusters and form distinct belts within a given region. According to ore deposit theory, ore deposits are closely associated with the geological conditions that govern their formation. On the one hand, the development of an ore deposit with industrial exploitation potential requires favorable geological conditions for mineralization. On the other hand, wherever favorable geological conditions for mineralization exist, it is often possible to find a cluster of similarly formed ore deposits. In other words, in regions where the geological conditions conducive to ore deposit formation are present, it is not uncommon for more than just a single known ore deposit to be found; rather, similar ore deposits may also exist in the surrounding areas. This provides an important theoretical basis for conducting further exploration around already-known mining sites.

　　 IV. The theory of mineral exploration based on existing deposits is a scientific framework for collaborative mineral exploration in both old and new mining areas.

　　Strengthening basic geological research and applying geological theories to guide mineral exploration are not only indispensable for discovering new mineral deposits and new types of ore bodies in unexplored areas, but also crucial for exploring existing mining districts. Only by thoroughly understanding the geological conditions and characteristics that govern ore formation and by using these systematic insights to guide exploration efforts can we achieve success. For example, the Yongping copper deposit in Jiangxi took seven ups and downs—repeated trial-and-error efforts—before it was finally confirmed as a large-scale copper deposit. The Yongping copper deposit evolved from an ancient mining area and old mine site into a major copper and tungsten mine, a process that was far from smooth. To locate the primary copper ore bodies, explorers went through numerous twists and turns. It was only after recognizing that interlayer detachment structures between rock layers with different physical properties might be the primary ore-controlling structures that drilling operations following these structures enabled a rapid breakthrough. Similarly, the discovery of porphyry copper deposits at Chengmenshan Mine was achieved in the 1970s, following the study of domestic and international theories on porphyry copper deposit formation and exploration experience. While the importance of exploring new areas is self-evident, we must not set the emphasis on new-area exploration against the practice of exploring existing mines. Exploring existing mines does not conflict with exploring new areas; on the contrary, certain experiences gained from exploring old mines can serve as valuable references for exploration in new areas. We should view both approaches as complementary pathways for expanding resource prospects and integrate them effectively. It is essential to properly balance and organically combine exploration of existing mines with exploration of new areas. In the late 1950s, while conducting exploration around the Dexing Copper Mine, the Jiangxi Provincial Bureau of Geology also organized teams to carry out regional prospecting across the vast northern Jiangxi region, aiming to discover new copper ore deposits. Soon after, copper deposits were found in Yongping, Chengmenshan, Wushan, Dongxiang, and other locations. Following evaluation and exploration in the mid-1960s, it was confirmed that the Yongping, Chengmenshan, Wushan, and Dongxiang deposits possessed significant industrial value—a major breakthrough in Jiangxi’s history of copper exploration. Together with the Dexing Copper Mine, these deposits came to be known as the “Five Golden Flowers” of Jiangxi’s copper resources, fundamentally transforming the province’s copper resource landscape and providing ample resource assurance for the development of a large-scale copper base in Jiangxi. This clearly demonstrates the importance of combining exploration of existing mines with exploration of new areas. The discoveries of the Zhu Xi copper deposit and the Dahu Tang tungsten deposit in Jiangxi—both representing world-class, exceptionally large-scale tungsten deposits—serve as prime examples of how small-scale mines can lead to the discovery of larger ones. Judging from the practical results of copper and tungsten exploration in Jiangxi, the approach of exploring existing mines has proven scientifically sound and highly effective. The successful exploration of the Zhu Xi copper deposit and the Dahu Tang tungsten deposit, along with the abundant achievements of strategic exploration breakthrough initiatives, demonstrate that the theory of exploring existing mines remains an effective guiding principle—not only during the 1950s and 1960s or the 1970s and 1980s, but also in the current era.

　　 V. The theory of mineral exploration based on ore deposits is a scientific theory in geological, mineral, and economic technology.

　　Finding new resources near old mining areas and existing mine sites can significantly save manpower, material resources, financial investment, and time in the search for new mineral deposits and the construction of new mines—this approach aligns perfectly with the economic efficiency principle of "speed, quality, and economy." Mineral exploration based on existing mines requires the adoption of advanced technological methods and prospecting techniques. Just as crossing a river necessitates either a bridge or a boat, the choice of prospecting methods and technological approaches is crucial to the success of mineral exploration. In the Wushan copper mining area, a hidden skarn-type copper deposit with reserves reaching 600,000 tons was discovered in the 1960s through systematic geophysical and geochemical exploration work, followed by drilling verification of anomalies. The theory of mineral exploration based on existing mines places great emphasis on new technologies and methods. For instance, after discovering the Tongchang mining area, the Dexing copper mine in Jiangxi Province employed geochemical prospecting methods and geological analogy to identify the Fugjiawu large-scale copper deposit and the Zhushahong large-scale copper deposit around Tongchang. Therefore, in the future, when using advanced prospecting methods for large-scale, generalized exploration, if greater attention is paid to the areas surrounding old mining districts, mineral exploration based on existing mines will surely yield even better results. An old mining district typically already has established mines, with certain foundations in terms of mining and processing capacity, as well as supporting infrastructure such as transportation, water supply, and power facilities. Thus, once the prospective resources around an old mine are expanded, it can either extend the mine's service life or increase its production scale. According to statistics from 15 tungsten mines including Xihua Mountain and Daji Mountain in Jiangxi Province, thanks to geological work focused on expanding prospective resources during mining operations, after many years of exploitation, the remaining reserves still exceeded the originally proven reserves by more than 200,000 tons, greatly prolonging the mines' lifespans. Moreover, expanding or extending the service life of an old mining district takes less time, yields faster results, costs less, and brings better social and economic benefits compared to building a new mine in a virgin area. Mining technical feasibility and mining cost feasibility are dual constraints in mine exploitation. From the perspective of technical feasibility, mine exploitation is a history of scientific and technological development in which humanity has overcome harsh mining environments and pushed the boundaries of mining technology. As mining technology continues to advance, regions previously deemed unexploitable due to technological limitations have now become viable for development and utilization. Similarly, ore dressing technical feasibility and ore dressing costs are also key constraints in the ore dressing stage. Whether the valuable components in the ore can be extracted and concentrated is a prerequisite for beneficiation and metallurgical processing. Since different types of ores vary in the occurrence state and content of valuable components, and based on the physical and chemical properties of various minerals within the ore, after crushing and grinding the ore, processes such as gravity separation, flotation, magnetic separation, and electrostatic separation are used to separate useful minerals from associated minerals, maximize the separation of coexisting valuable minerals from each other, remove or reduce harmful impurities, and obtain raw materials required for smelting or other industrial applications. Take China’s unique ion-adsorption-type rare earth ores as an example: due to the previous lack of ore dressing technologies capable of extracting valuable components from weathered crust-type rare earth ores, this type of ore was not considered an industrial mineral until the 1980s. It wasn't until the introduction of the second-generation ion-adsorption rare earth extraction process—the “in-situ leaching process”—in 1996 that China truly established a new type of rare earth ore. In the gold mining sector, the adoption of the “heap leaching process” has enabled the development and utilization of previously uneconomical low-grade ores, significantly lowering the cut-off grade for delineating ore bodies during exploration and greatly increasing the scale of ore deposits. The advancement of ore dressing technology means that rock types previously not considered ores can now be explored for their valuable minerals, and rocks previously deemed non-economic due to low grades can now be defined as ore bodies. Therefore, advances in ore dressing technology not only broaden the variety of ores available for exploration but also lower the threshold for defining ore bodies. The “ore” in mineral exploration based on existing mines specifically refers to rocks mined from a mine that contain certain valuable minerals. After undergoing successive stages of mining, crushing, and grinding, these rocks can be applied in various engineering fields, including metal mining, metallurgical industry, chemical industry, construction industry, highway and railway infrastructure construction, cement industry, and sand-and-gravel industries. Unlike ordinary rocks, the “ore” in mineral exploration based on existing mines refers to rocks that can be mined, possess value, can be processed, and can be utilized.

　　 Six, the theory of mineral exploration based on existing deposits is a scientific theory that has evolved along with advances in science and technology and changes in domestic and international economic and social needs.

　　Since the establishment of the theory of ore-prospecting based on mineral deposits 40 years ago, significant transformations have been taking place in mineral exploration and prospecting science and technology. Geological ore-prospecting has shifted from searching for surface and shallow deposits to identifying hidden deposits, and from low-altitude areas to remote, mid-to-high altitude regions characterized by deep incision. The minerals targeted by ore-prospecting are constantly evolving, influenced by a multitude of factors—including advances in science and technology, changing economic and social needs, policy shifts, and alterations in international relations and geopolitical dynamics. Internationally, mineral exploration is typically categorized into two types: exploration within delineated prospective areas and exploration in the deeper parts and peripheral zones of existing mining districts. For example, Canada has implemented a 20-year program focused on discovering hidden deposits; the United States, guided by its global resource strategy, has launched a new round of global assessments of mineral resource potential; and Australia continues to carry out extensive exploration programs covering vast areas, including the recently initiated major research project "Future Exploration," all aimed at leveraging technological innovation to identify promising exploration targets, attract private-sector risk investments, and drive mineral exploration activities. Mineral exploration is a complex, systematic undertaking that—both domestically and internationally—is usually guided by ore-forming theories, supported by advanced exploration techniques, and validated through engineering verification. The initial step involves delineating exploration targets and gradually narrowing down the search area. In the early stages of exploration, the extent and depth of ore bodies are roughly defined, and resource estimates are made. As exploration progresses into later stages and enters the mining phase, more intensive engineering studies and feasibility analyses are conducted to confirm reserves. Mining operations proceed from shallow to deeper levels, combining extraction with ongoing exploration, ultimately reaching economically and technically viable depths. To date, the vast majority of metal deposits mined both domestically and internationally lie within 1,000 meters of the surface, providing over 95% of the world’s mineral resources. Only a very small number of ultra-large, highly enriched deposits have been developed progressively from shallow to greater depths—from 2,000 to 4,000 meters—and these account for a negligible share of global resources (there are currently only about 160,000 mines worldwide). Of the 22 existing mines operating at depths exceeding 2,000 meters, 20 are gold mines, while Canada alone has one copper-zinc mine and one nickel mine. In Western countries, the main players engaged in mineral exploration are publicly listed companies and, exceptionally, a few privately owned firms, all driven by the goal of maximizing profits. Consequently, their exploration targets tend to focus on “large deposits, rich deposits, and shallow deposits.” From the perspective of China’s national interests, it is essential to explore and discover lower-grade and deeper mineral resources as strategic reserves. Exploration techniques and methods represent crucial tools for achieving breakthroughs in ore-prospecting, and the integration of modern scientific and technological advancements into exploration activities has become a global trend. In response to market demands, R&D companies are actively keeping pace, and some governments are also playing an active role—for instance, Australia’s Geological Survey, state geological surveys, and major mining companies have jointly established collaborative research centers for mineral exploration, promoting the development of new exploration technologies and methods specifically designed for cover areas. Overseas, modern mineral exploration technologies are advancing rapidly, prominently featuring multispectral satellite remote sensing, airborne, ground-based, and core-sample infrared spectroscopy, airborne geophysical techniques involving electrical, magnetic, gravity, and radioactivity measurements, high-precision, deep-penetration geophysical induced polarization techniques, geochemical methods utilizing gas, biological indicators, and nanoscale solid-penetrating technologies, as well as modular, automated, and intelligent drilling technologies and smart exploration approaches that involve deep processing and mining of big data geological information to precisely delineate target areas. Over the years, Chinese geologists have continuously explored and made progress in the application of exploration techniques and methods. However, China remains heavily reliant on foreign equipment and technology for mineral exploration, a situation that is cause for concern. Before the reform and opening-up period, China had a robust network of national and provincial-level institutions and groups dedicated to the R&D of exploration instruments and equipment. Yet, with the massive importation of foreign equipment, machinery, and instruments, domestic R&D efforts have hit a bottleneck. Even when some domestically developed products have been created, they have failed to gain market acceptance and, without market validation, it has been difficult to produce advanced equipment, machinery, and instruments. To date, the key challenges in China’s R&D of exploration equipment, machinery, and instruments remain the supply of chips, software, and precision components.

　　 7. The theory of mineral exploration based on ore deposits is a scientific theory of systems engineering.

　　Mineral exploration is a systematic undertaking. In the early years of the founding of New China, our country adopted a “large-scale mineral exploration campaign” approach to bring together professionals, institutions, and industries across the nation that were involved in mineral exploration, pooling resources and efforts to tackle major challenges efficiently and effectively address the shortage of mineral resources in the early days of the People’s Republic of China. Since the founding of New China, systematic geological surveys and mineral exploration activities have provided abundant mineral resources, laying the foundation for the establishment of our national industrial system and underpinning socio-economic development. However, it would be premature to conclude that China has exhausted its mineral exploration potential. A new round of exploration potential assessments indicates that China holds vast reserves of mineral resources within 2,000 meters below the surface. At the end of 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources released the results of the previous decade-long strategic action for breakthroughs in mineral exploration, revealing that we had discovered 336 million tons of crystalline graphite, 1.2 billion tons of manganese, 18.74 million tons of molybdenum, 6.12 million tons of tungsten, 8,085 tons of gold, 137 million tons of lead and zinc, 1.8 billion tons of bauxite, 523 million tons of potash, 37.11 million tons of copper, 3.49 million tons of nickel, and 90.62 million tons of fluorite. Additionally, 32 new mineral resource bases have been established. These achievements clearly demonstrate that China possesses extremely rich untapped mineral resources. Currently, mineral exploration and prospecting are experiencing a downturn. As long as relevant departments, guided by the overall plan laid out at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, introduce policies to actively encourage enterprises and social capital to invest in risky exploration activities, while the state establishes major science and technology programs to effectively address critical scientific and technological challenges in China’s mineral exploration and prospecting efforts; as long as industry, academia, and research institutions deepen their integration, with enterprises taking the lead in conducting innovative research aimed at solving specific problems; and as long as we independently develop a series of exploration instruments, equipment, and technologies—thus propelling China from being a large mining country toward becoming a powerful mining nation—mineral exploration can once again regain momentum. It is essential to establish and improve talent cultivation and evaluation systems: vocational bachelor’s, regular bachelor’s, and even master’s degree programs should place greater emphasis on practical training, enhance professional skills, and relax requirements for academic papers. All graduates should be immediately ready to take up their jobs, assume responsibilities, and even lead teams, thereby effectively serving national development and societal progress. In today’s market economy environment, the “large-scale mineral exploration campaign” model still retains strong vitality. The China Mineral Resources and Materials Application Collaborative Innovation Platform, supported by the China Association for Industry-University-Research Cooperation, integrates the two major industries of mineral resources and materials application. It brings together enterprises, universities, research institutes, government agencies, financial institutions, and end-users along the entire industrial chain, identifying exploration directions based on resource demands arising from product applications, new material R&D, and the development of strategic emerging industries. By advancing mining techniques, ore-processing technologies, and smelting technologies, we can improve the efficiency of mineral resource utilization and lower the barriers to exploration. Furthermore, through research and application of geological exploration theories, exploration methods, and exploration equipment, we can shorten exploration cycles and increase exploration success rates.

　　 8. The theory of mineral exploration based on existing mines is a scientific theory that ensures the security of mineral resources.

　　Currently, China is the world’s largest consumer of mineral resources, the largest producer of mineral resources, the largest importer of mineral resources, and the largest trading nation in minerals. At the same time, we are also the world’s most industrially diversified country, with the broadest range of industrial sectors. Mineral resources are the “grain” of industry, and the issue of mineral resource supply clearly represents the critical chokepoint for our industrial system. On October 2, 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping, in an important reply to all geological workers of the Sixth Geological Brigade of the Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, emphasized: "Mineral resources are an essential material foundation for economic and social development, and their exploration and development are vital to national welfare, people’s livelihoods, and national security. I hope that comrades will vigorously carry forward the fine traditions of patriotism, dedication, pioneering innovation, and hard work; actively implement the concept of green development; intensify exploration efforts; strengthen scientific and technological breakthroughs; and play an even greater role in the new round of strategic actions aimed at achieving breakthroughs in mineral exploration. Together, let us make new contributions to ensuring national energy and resource security and to fully building a modern socialist country, and strive to write a new chapter for the ‘Heroic Geological Team.’" Economic security and national security encompass various aspects, and from the perspective of primary products alone, we have food, oil and gas, and mineral resources. As of the end of December 2021, the area registered for exploration rights in China totaled 2.6915 million square kilometers. Among this, the area registered for non-oil and gas exploration rights was only 106,600 square kilometers, accounting for just 1.11% of China’s land area of 9.6 million square kilometers and representing 1.52% of the 7 million square kilometers available for geological work in China. So, how do these figures compare internationally? In Canada, no exploration rights are required for mineral resource surveys; thus, virtually the entire country—except for areas explicitly prohibited by law from mining—is open for surveying. In South Australia, Australia, the area covered by exploration licenses amounts to 582,000 square kilometers, or 56% of South Australia’s total area of 1.04 million square kilometers. From these data, it is evident that China’s area covered by exploration licenses lags significantly behind those of major mining nations abroad. The small size of China’s exploration license area is a key factor affecting our country’s mineral resource security. Generally speaking, a country’s mineral resource endowment is positively correlated with its land area, and the proven reserves of mineral resources are positively correlated with the area covered by exploration licenses. From this perspective, there remains tremendous potential for mineral exploration across China’s vast territory. Based on this understanding, it has become imperative to adjust our current geological exploration policies to ensure our country’s mineral resource security. The mineral resource management authorities should substantially expand the areas available for geological exploration and actively encourage private capital to invest in mineral exploration efforts. The Party Central Committee and the State Council have fully recognized the importance of mineral resource security and have elevated it to the level of national security. The central government has repeatedly addressed the issue of mineral resource security at important meetings, and this issue has been incorporated into this year’s Government Work Report. We have every reason to believe that under the wise leadership of the Party Central Committee, through timely adjustments to mining policies and through collaborative innovation among industry, academia, research, and application, we are confident and capable of effectively addressing the challenges facing our nation’s mineral resource security. Collaborative innovation among industry, academia, research, and application holds great promise; domestic mineral exploration has enormous potential; and the scientific theories underlying mineral exploration hold immense possibilities as well.

　　 9. The theory of mineral exploration based on existing mines is a continuously evolving and open scientific theory for the new era.

　　The “mineral-seeking based on existing mines” theory represents the integration of Marxist philosophy with geological exploration practice. Just as Marxism is a constantly evolving and open-ended theory, its ability to keep pace with the times is a defining characteristic and theoretical strength. The history of Marxism’s development is precisely the history of Marx, Engels, and their successors continuously advancing the theory in response to changes in the era, practical experience, and cognitive progress—a history marked by the ongoing assimilation of all outstanding intellectual and cultural achievements from human history, thereby enriching and perfecting the theory itself. How we approach science with a scientific attitude and pursue truth in the spirit of truthfulness is a crucial question that determines Marxism’s enduring vitality and dynamism. Comrade Zhu Xun’s “mineral-seeking based on existing mines” theory serves as an exemplary case of adopting a scientific attitude toward science and pursuing truth in the spirit of truthfulness. A good theory always continues to be enriched, developed, and refined through its guidance of practical application. The “mineral-seeking based on existing mines” theory not only guides mineral exploration practices but also continually draws upon practical experience to refine and deepen its conceptual framework. This theory plays a vital role not only in guiding mineral exploration in established mining regions but also holds significant importance in directing exploration efforts in new areas. Whether it’s endogenous deposits or metamorphic deposits, both exhibit objective regularities. The “mineral-seeking based on existing mines” theory, through the study of already discovered deposits, establishes exploration models that enable the identification of similar deposits in new areas under comparable geological conditions. The experiences gained and patterns summarized from exploration in established regions can be applied to prospecting predictions and exploration in new areas, providing a clear and targeted scientific framework.

　　The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly states: Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which our Party and country were founded and on which they have prospered. Practice has shown us that the reason why the Communist Party of China can succeed and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is so good ultimately lies in the fact that Marxism works—and more specifically, that the Sinicized and contemporary form of Marxism works. Promoting the Sinicization and contemporary adaptation of Marxism is a process of pursuing truth, revealing truth, and earnestly putting truth into practice. To uphold and develop Marxism, we must integrate it closely with China’s specific realities. Why was Comrade Zhu Xun’s “theory of prospecting for minerals based on existing deposits” able to guide mineral exploration efforts and prove so effective in concrete exploration work? The ultimate answer lies in the fact that Comrade Zhu Xun combined Marxist philosophy with China’s geological exploration practice, thereby giving rise to a Sinicized and contemporary theory of mineral exploration philosophy. Forty years of practice have shown us that Comrade Zhu Xun’s theory of prospecting for minerals based on existing deposits has, from the height of theoretical thinking, established this approach as both a guiding principle and a scientific theory for mineral exploration work.