A new scientific research center has been established in the Bayan Obo mining district in Baotou, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, according to a July 12 report from the Baotou Evening News.

The center, co-developed by the Institute of Mineral Resources of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and Baogang Group, the largest steel company in Inner Mongolia, will serve as a demonstration platform focusing on scientific and technological innovation and science education. The two parties have established a solid strategic partnership.

The center is committed to solving difficult problems related to the mineralization of key mineral resources and promoting major breakthroughs in strategic resources.

Bayan Obo (which roughly translates as “rich mountain”) is a mining district rich in mineral resources.

Geologist Ding Daoheng discovered that the area was rich in minerals after going on a scientific expedition to Inner Mongolia in 1927.

The district is one of the richest precious mineral deposits in the world. It is home to many metals, including iron, rare earth metals, and niobium. More than 71 chemical elements and 175 minerals have been mined in the district.

A total of 100 million tons of rare earths have been found in the area, accounting for 41 percent of the global total. Hence, the district is known as "the world's largest rare earths mine.”

A sculpture of Ding Daoheng in the Bayan Obo mining district [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]