China to Tap Sylvite Resources in Lop NurChina is making preparations to tap the sylvite resources in Lop Nur, a huge stretch of wildness in the Tarim Basin, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to reliable sources.Zhao Mianping, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told Xinhua that Lop Nur is expected to be built into an important sylvite and potash fertilizer production base in China. Zhao is in Xinjiang attending a symposium on the development of kali salt resources in Lop Nur. Initial investigations show that the industrial reserve of sylvite in this piece of wilderness is 100 million tons and the prospective reserve of the salt-like minerals is 250 million tons. Geologists estimated that the potential value of the sylvite resources in Lop Nur will surpass 500 billion yuan (60.24 billion US dollars). Last year, Xinjiang's geology and mineral departments discovered a underground water source in the hinterland of Lop Nur, which can outflow 10 million cubic meters of water annually, and a huge amount of clay for building mines. The Lop Nur Sylvite Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd, with the Xinjiang regional government as a leading sponsor, has invested heavily in experiments on sylvite production techniques. Academician Zheng stressed that work needs to be done for the development in view of the harsh natural conditions in Lop Nur. Zheng said the development project has won support from governments of various levels and attracted some powerful enterprises and experts from at home and abroad. Xinjiang plans to raise its sylvite production capacity in Lop Nur to at least 200,000 tons annually within five to 10 years, which will greatly ease the shortages of kali salt and potash fertilizer in China and promote the development of agricultural economy. At present, China needs 5 million tons of potash fertilizer annually compared with its output of 800,000 tons on yearly basis. |
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