Workflow
全球7大国家高纯石英矿区如何分布?

Core Viewpoint - High-purity quartz is a critical material for various high-tech industries, including semiconductors, photovoltaics, and advanced optical applications, and its supply is essential for national security and economic stability [1][40]. Group 1: Overview of High-Purity Quartz - High-purity quartz refers to quartz with extremely high SiO₂ purity and very low impurity content, widely used in semiconductor, photovoltaic, optical, and advanced lighting industries [4][5]. - The higher the purity of quartz, the better its properties such as high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, low thermal expansion, high insulation, and light transmission [5][7]. - Different industries have varying quality requirements for quartz, leading to a lack of universal quality evaluation standards [5][7]. Group 2: Global Distribution of High-Purity Quartz Resources - China is the largest consumer and importer of high-purity quartz globally, but there is a significant gap in processing technology compared to international standards [3][9]. - Major high-purity quartz deposits are found in the USA, Norway, Australia, Russia, Mauritania, and Canada, with the largest resource in the Spruce Pine mine in the USA, exceeding 10 million tons [9][11][15][22][26][31][33]. - The purity of quartz from these deposits often exceeds 99.9%, making them suitable for high-tech applications [11][15][20][22][31]. Group 3: Applications of High-Purity Quartz - High-purity quartz is essential for manufacturing transistors, memory chips, integrated circuits, optical fibers, and various components in the electronics and telecommunications sectors [41][45]. - In the renewable energy sector, it is used to produce polysilicon for solar cells and components for nuclear fusion laser ignition devices [42][43]. - The material is also critical in advanced manufacturing, including aerospace applications and military technology [46]. Group 4: Strategic Importance and Future Development - High-purity quartz is recognized as a strategic mineral resource, with countries like Japan and the EU categorizing it as critical [40]. - There is a pressing need for China to enhance its evaluation of high-purity quartz resources, protect quality deposits, and develop advanced purification technologies to ensure a stable supply [40][46].