China’s Mineral
Deposits China’s vast territory and complicated geological
formations create favorable conditions for mineralization. Rich mineral deposits
are found on the plains and in the mountains. Reserves of over
50 metals and nearly 80 non-metals have been discovered, in addition to rich
fuel-bearing deposits. These include rich deposits of nonferrous metal,
rare-earth metal, coal and certain non-metals. The proved reserves of a number
of minerals are among the richest in the world, including rare earth, coal,
iron, copper, tin, lead, zinc and aluminum. The prospects for petroleum and
natural gas are also bright. The abundance of minerals provides a solid material
basis for the country’s modernization. Nevertheless, there are
also some inadequacies. Most of the minerals are unevenly distributed and the
prospects of some reserves are not clear. Insufficient reserves have been proved
for some minerals: others, such as iron and copper, do not usually occur in rich
veins. The reserves of quite a number of minerals are among the
largest in the world, but the per capital amount is smaller than that in many
other countries. Although China has conducted a great many
preliminary surveys, the work has to be in tensified in the eastern part of the
country, and it has hardly begun in many places in the west. Prospecting and
exploitation are still rather backward. China has only just opened the door to
its underground treasure house, where the mysteries have by no means been
uncovered. With the progress in geological research and exploration, more and
better minerals will be found.
According to the passage, what is the purpose of China’s geological research
