China unveils game-changing high-purity quartz discovery to boost tech idustries

Proceeding from a new article, Global Times describes that China has made a groundbreaking discovery of a new mineral species—high-purity quartz, which is expected to significantly reduce the nation's reliance on imports and support the development of strategic industries like semiconductors and photovoltaics.

The Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed this discovery, explaining that high-purity quartz refers to rock that can be processed into silicon dioxide with a purity of at least 99.995 per cent. This level of purity meets the stringent requirements of high-tech sectors, such as semiconductor manufacturing and photovoltaic energy production.

Mao Jingwen, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, highlighted that the establishment of this new mineral species will greatly contribute to the advancement of related strategic industries. It is expected to enhance industrial productivity, fortify supply chains, and increase national security.

High-purity quartz is a rare resource globally, and China has been heavily reliant on imports. The mineral is highly valued for its high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, low thermal expansion, and excellent insulation properties. These qualities make it an essential material in high-tech industries, especially semiconductors and solar panels, which are key to China’s technological competition on the global stage.

Recent mineral exploration efforts have led to the discovery of new high-purity quartz deposits in central China’s Henan Province and in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This has enabled Chinese enterprises and research institutions to overcome key technical challenges, producing products with up to 4N5-grade purity, and some even reaching 4N8-grade.

This discovery marks an important milestone in the development of domestically sourced high-purity quartz. In response, the Ministry of Natural Resources plans to establish an innovation center to further develop high-purity quartz, including advancements in exploration and purification technologies, and to evaluate the resource reserves to ensure long-term supply security.

By Naila Huseynova