Guangxi's new mineral named Jinxiuite

A new mineral discovered in June by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences has recently been approved by the International Mineralogical Association's Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, and named Jinxiuite.

The new mineral was found in the Longhua nickel-cobalt deposit in Jinxiu Yao autonomous county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Tang Hejun, senior engineer from the academy who led the discovery, said that Jinxiuite contains several valuable metals, such as nickel, cobalt and bismuth.

"It's important to determine how easily these metals can be extracted, as this will influence both the recovery rate and the economic viability of fully utilizing this type of mineral deposit in the future," he said.

Nickel and cobalt are crucial for industries like aerospace, chemical manufacturing, and battery production due to their high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and strength.

"Given China's limited resources and reliance on imports, especially for cobalt, the discovery of Jinxiuite is significant for guiding future exploration," Tang said.

Yan Jiayong, director of the academy's deep mineral exploration theory and technology research division, described the discovery of the new mineral as a landmark scientific achievement.

"It expands the understanding of the material world and offers a natural blueprint for materials science. Such discoveries can inspire the synthesis of new materials with unique properties," Yan said.

Moreover, new minerals act as records of Earth's and the universe's geological history, revealing the evolution of elements under extreme conditions. Each new mineral discovery provides profound insights into nature's mysteries, he added.

"By examining their associations with other minerals, scientists can precisely reconstruct the evolution of these mineral deposits from their early beginnings to their later stages," he added.

The Jinxiu area has shown great potential for mineral exploration, particularly with recent discoveries of nickel-cobalt deposits, making it a vital area for nonferrous metal production and exploration in Guangxi, according to the academy.