Due to the geological formation, Ningxia has favorable conditions for the formation of energy and non-metal mineral resources. There are more than 50 varieties of mineral resources, which are proved to be worthy of being exploited.

Coal

Coal is the preponderant mineral resource of Ningxia, and the area with large coal deposit covers an area of 17,000 km2, taking almost one fourth of total area of Ningxia. 14 counties of Ningxia have coal reserves. Helanshan Mountain, Ningdong, Ningnan and Xiangshan take the lead position in the coal reserves and mining. In the first three areas, the coal deposit layer has the outstanding features as large thickness, stable and high quality and rich reserves. These three places constitute the major parts of Ningxia coal resources.
Ningxia coal reserves amounts to 191.4 billion tons, next to Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi and Shaanxi, ranking the the Top Five in the whole country. The proved reserves amount to 30.84 billion tons. There are five large mines with reserves over a billion tons, which are located in Rujigou, Henshanbu, Shuishijin, Jinjiaqu Hengcheng and Weizhou. There are 20 medium-sized mines with reserves of 100 ~ 200 million tons, and 21 small-sized mines with less than 100 million tons of reserves. Ningxia has full scope assortment of coals.

Coal for cokes is mainly distributed in Helanshan and Ningdong (Hengshanbu, Weizhou). Xiangshan also has some deposit. Ningxia has a reputation of very high quality coal. The anthracite produced in Helanshan and Rujigou coal mine, whose brand name is called Taixi Coal, has superior quality and bears the reputation of "Three lows and six highs". It is the best coal in China. "Three low" means: (1) low ashes, 1.76 ~3.06% (refined coal); (2) low sulfur, 0.19 ~ 0.37% (refined coal); (3) low phosphorus, 0.0026 ~0.534% (refined coal). "Six high" means: (1) high heat energy, 7920 ~ 1960 cal/g (raw coal), 8,680 ~ 8,720 cal/g (refined coal); (2) high physical resistivity, 10.9 ohm/cm, i.e.1,000 ~ 10,000 times higher than common anthracite; (3) high mechanical intensity; (4) high recovery ratio of refined coal, 88.1% in common, ashes ratio less than 5%; (5) high ratio of lump coal in raw coal, 70.68% in common, (6) high chemical property, the CO2 decomposition rate is 51.3 ~ 78.4%, very close to metallurgical coke. Taixi Coal has long enjoyed high reputation in the international market. Its quality can compete with the Hongji Coal of Vietnam.

Gypsum

Gypsum is the second largest resource of Ningxia. The proved reserves are 2.464 billion tons, ensured reserves 1.27 billion tons, and predictable reserves 300 billion tons, ranking the third in China. The gypsum salt deposit zones are distributed widely and its amount is impressive. Tongxin and Haiyuan have the gypsum salt zone more than 1,600 km2, which formed in the third system Oligocene Epoch, and its predictable reserve is over 10 billion tons. In addition, besides their high quality and great amount, the exploitation, economic and traffic conditions are quite favorable. Especially the gypsum deposits are formed in the early Carbon Ferrous Period at Gantang, Shaohong Shan and Xiaheyan of Zhongwei county not only have broad scope and abundant reserve, but also very high quality.

Clay

Ningxia has full-scale assortment of clay resources. According to its property and usage it can be classified into ceramic clay, fire-resistant clay, brick and tile clay and cement clay.

The ceramic clay is mainly distributed in Hulusitai, Zhongning, Zhongwei and Haiyuan. The major ore layers are of hard clay (0.5 ~ 0.6 m thick), white soft clay (1.5 ~ 3.7 m thick) and semi-hard clay. It is estimated that the reserve at Zhongning and Haiyuan is 440,000 tons.

The brick and tile clay is distributed over the whole region. The condition of this kind of clay deposit in Guyuan is quite remarkable. It has been known for the thick layer, good plasticity and plentiful reserve. At the Daquankuang of Qingtongxia city, the reserve is proved to be 2.22 million tons, which is now waiting for exploitation.

The cement clay is distributed widely, almost all over the whole region, but Shizuishan and Qintongxia are proved to have 27 million tons of clay reserves.

Limestone and dolomite

Ningxia has plenty reserve of high quality limestone reserves, which can be classified into cement limestone, flux limestone and chemical industry marble. They are distributed over the places of Liupanshan Mountain, Yunwushan, Niushoushan and Helanshan Mt. According to the survey, the proved reserves are more than 390 million tons.

The dolomite is mainly distributed in the middle part of Helanshan. The ore layers are 80 meters deep. It is estimated that the reserves amount to 142 million tons, which are proved to be superior grade.

Quartz

The ore layer of quartz is quite stable and has remarkable thickness, usually 50 to 80 meters deep. Some places reaches 200 meters. The proved reserves are 49 million tons, the predicted reserves are about 100 million tons, and the grade is of C + D.

Phosphorus and silicon

The phosphorus ore with the value of industrial development in Ningxia is located in Suyukou of Helanshan region. It is 40 km long from north to south, 10 to 15 km wide from west to east. The proved reserve is 133.4 million tons. Its quality is of middle grade.
The proved reserve of silicon ore at Dawukou is 10 million tons, of 98.5% purity.

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