To the provincial-level departments of natural resources, the China Geological Survey, other directly affiliated units of the Ministry, centrally-administered geological exploration units, and all relevant entities:
　　To fully leverage the leading role of scientific and technological innovation in mineral exploration, and in accordance with the requirements of the “Notice from the General Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources on Issuing the Guidelines for Applying for Science and Technology Support Projects under the New Round of Mineral Exploration Breakthrough Strategic Initiative” (Natural Resources Office Letter [2024] No. 116), the Ministry has organized the recommendation and application process for science and technology support projects under the new round of the Mineral Exploration Breakthrough Strategic Initiative for 2024. Following expert review and public announcement, we have approved the inclusion of 29 projects in the list of approved science and technology support projects for the 2024 new round of the Mineral Exploration Breakthrough Strategic Initiative (see Attachment 1). The relevant requirements are hereby notified as follows:
　　1. Each recommending organization is requested to organize the lead project entity to prepare the Project Task Description (Attachment 2). After being reviewed by the recommending organization, the Task Description shall be submitted to the science and technology authority of the Ministry of Natural Resources for filing. The preparation of the Task Description shall comply with the “Several Opinions on Further Strengthening the Building of Scientific Integrity” and relevant regulations on project fund management. The content of the Task Description must be consistent with that of the application form; technical indicators should demonstrate high scientific rigor, and the expected outcomes should be realistic, reliable, and verifiable.
　　II. After being reviewed by the recommending organization, the task book shall be filed with the science and technology authority of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Once approved following review, the project shall be implemented accordingly. The project undertaking entity shall, based on the application and implementation plan, ensure that all necessary conditions for project implementation—such as funding, personnel, and instruments and equipment—are in place by the end of 2024.
　　3. The project undertaking unit shall carefully organize and implement the project, earnestly enforce the legal entity responsibility system, and manage project implementation and fund usage in accordance with the application and task documents. The leading unit and the project leader shall strengthen overall coordination among different sub-projects to ensure that the project’s research objectives and tasks are completed on schedule.
　　4. During the implementation of the project, the recommending organization shall, in accordance with the requirements of the science and technology authorities of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the relevant business departments and bureaus of the Ministry, track and evaluate the project based on the task book, establish a project withdrawal mechanism, and promptly terminate any project that fails to meet the necessary implementation conditions or poses significant risks. After the completion of the project, the science and technology authorities of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the relevant business departments and bureaus of the Ministry will organize the recommending organization to carry out acceptance testing of the project’s outcomes.
　　5. Each leading unit is requested to submit two copies of the preliminary-reviewed task description (including an electronic version on CD) to the Mineral Exploration Technology Guidance Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources by October 25 (based on the date of dispatch).
　　Contact phone numbers: 010-58584362, 15811189156
　　Email: dzezhong@mail.cgs.gov.cn
　　Address: No. 45, Fuxi Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, Mineral Exploration Technology Guidance Center, Ministry of Natural Resources
　　Postal code: 100037

　　General Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources
　　September 10, 2024