美西方又一次破防：中国发现万吨级铀矿，一举成铀矿大国！

Core Viewpoint - Nuclear energy is a critical arena in great power competition, and control over uranium resources equates to control over future energy security [1] Group 1: Historical Context - Initially, China had minimal uranium resources, with only 17.4 million tons identified from 1950 to 2000, failing to rank in the top ten globally [3][5] - By 2009, China's nuclear power capacity surged, requiring 9,830 tons of uranium annually, while domestic production was only 1,885 tons, leading to a significant shortfall of 8,000 tons [3][5] Group 2: Challenges Faced - China relied heavily on uranium imports from countries like Kazakhstan, Australia, and Namibia, facing challenges such as price volatility and geopolitical pressures [5][14] - The phrase "we are a nuclear power but a uranium-poor country" encapsulated the frustration within China's nuclear industry during this period [5] Group 3: Breakthroughs in Uranium Exploration - A shift in geological exploration theory led Chinese geologists to explore sedimentary basins for uranium, resulting in the discovery of significant deposits in regions like Ordos and Tarim [7][9] - The introduction of innovative exploration methods, such as "coal-uranium co-exploration" and "oil-uranium co-exploration," drastically reduced costs and doubled efficiency [9][12] Group 4: Recent Discoveries and Developments - The discovery of the Daying uranium mine in the Ordos Basin, with over 50,000 tons of reserves, marked a significant milestone in China's uranium mining history [11] - By 2025, China is expected to have discovered one-third of its total uranium resources in the past decade, establishing four major uranium mining bases [13] Group 5: Future Projections - China's uranium self-sufficiency is projected to rise from under 20% in 2020 to over 40% by 2025 and potentially exceed 60% by 2030, reducing reliance on imports [14] - The shift in uranium resource control is expected to alter the international uranium pricing dynamics, enhancing China's bargaining power [14][16] Group 6: Strategic Implications - The advancements in uranium mining signify a move towards energy independence for China, impacting its nuclear power generation and military capabilities [16][19] - The goal is to establish a global uranium supply chain and enhance China's position in the international energy landscape [16][19]