In today's society, well-known brands like rubber tires, plastic building materials, architectural coatings, and ceramics enjoy widespread recognition. However, non-metallic mining products—often located at the upstream of these manufacturing chains and historically subordinate to them—are less familiar to consumers. At the annual meeting of the China Non-Metallic Mineral Industry Association on September 14, delegates highlighted that as the government emphasizes the safe and rational use of resources, this resource-based industry, which supports many manufacturing sectors, deserves more social attention.
The phrase "Everything starts from the mining industry" has become a common saying in the non-metallic mineral sector. Indeed, non-metallic minerals are deeply integrated with traditional industries such as chemicals, construction materials, light industry, and metallurgy. For instance, 80% of mineral materials are inorganic chemicals, widely used in chemical production. Materials like calcium carbonate, wollastonite, kaolin, and talc are essential additives in plastics, adhesives, and coatings. Fluorspar and zeolite are critical in fluorine plastic production, while non-metallic minerals play a vital role in advanced fields like aerospace and defense.
In 2005, the output of plastic products, rubber products, and coatings reached 25 million tons, 12 million tons, and 5 million tons respectively. The demand for non-metallic mineral fillers was equally significant—3.75 million tons, 1.8 million tons, and 750,000 tons respectively. These figures represent just a small portion of the broader chemical industry.
Zhang Zhan, chairman of the China Non-Metallic Mineral Industry Association, acknowledges the industry’s strong position: China has over 100 million tons of output, unique reserves, and a significant share in the global market. Yet he expresses concern about the scattered nature of non-mining communities across the country. Many small enterprises operate at low levels, leading to redundant development and quality gaps compared to foreign counterparts. With limited processing technology, China still exports a large amount of raw ore and basic products, resulting in a situation where high-value processed goods are imported at much higher prices.
For example, in 2004, the import price of graphite products was 38 times higher than the export price. Similarly, imported kaolin for coatings was nearly ten times more expensive than domestic ore. This pattern is seen across various minerals, where cheap raw materials are exported while costly processed products are imported, leading to both economic loss and waste of natural resources.
Experts suggest that to change this status quo—where high-quality ore is sold at low prices and processed products are bought at high costs—there is an urgent need for meticulous development. Improving product grades, enhancing technical content, and exploring new applications can meet the evolving needs of traditional and high-tech chemical industries. This would help strengthen and expand the non-metallic mineral sector.
With rising oil prices impacting the petrochemical industry, downstream sectors like plastics and rubber are turning to non-metallic mineral-related industries. Strategic alliances between fluorine chemical companies and fluorite mines have proven profitable. As petroleum resin prices rise, companies are increasingly using cost-effective, high-performance non-metallic mineral fillers to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Looking ahead, the next five-year plan will likely drive greater reliance on resources. In the value chain involving non-metallic minerals and industries like chemicals, textiles, and metallurgy, the combination of high demand and limited supply will intensify competition across sectors, pushing for a stronger focus on resource optimization and innovation.
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