行进中国 | 梦幻盐湖里的钾肥“粮仓”

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significance of the Qarhan Salt Lake in Qinghai, China, emphasizing its vast mineral resources and the development of the salt lake industry, which has become a pillar of the local economy and a key player in national agricultural production [3][5][11]. Group 1: Mineral Resources - Qarhan Salt Lake has an estimated sodium salt reserve of approximately 600 billion tons, sufficient to provide food for 6 billion people for 1,000 years [3]. - The lake holds the highest reserves of potassium, magnesium, and lithium in China, with a potential economic value reaching trillions of yuan [3][11]. - The salt lake is rich in various mineral ions, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, lithium, boron, iodine, and chlorine, making it a unique ecological environment [3][5]. Group 2: Industry Development - The Qarhan Salt Lake has evolved into the largest potassium fertilizer production base in China and the fourth largest in the world, significantly contributing to national food security [7][11]. - The local salt lake chemical industry has maintained rapid growth since the reform and opening up, forming five major industrial clusters: potassium salt, sodium salt, magnesium salt, lithium salt, and chlor-alkali [11]. - During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the production capacity for potassium fertilizer in Golmud is projected to reach 8 million tons, alongside significant outputs of other salts [11]. Group 3: Technological Advancements - Over the past 60 years, continuous innovation has led to breakthroughs in key technologies for large-scale deep-water salt lake mining and potassium fertilizer production [7][9]. - The production processes have evolved to primarily use physical methods, minimizing pollution and ensuring ecological protection [9][11]. - The Qarhan Salt Lake's potassium fertilizer production facilities have achieved near-complete automation, enhancing efficiency and product quality [11].