Core Insights - The 2024 Natural Resources Science and Technology Award announced 223 winning achievements, including 159 in the Science and Technology Progress Award category, 14 in the Prospecting Award, and 50 in the Youth Science and Technology Award [1][2] Group 1: Science and Technology Progress Awards - Four achievements received the Special Award, including innovations in deep detection technology and key technologies for the design, manufacturing, and installation of bimetallic composite subsea pipelines [1] - 54 achievements received the First Prize, with notable projects focusing on efficient land use in urban clusters based on natural ecology [1] - 101 achievements were awarded the Second Prize, highlighting advancements in satellite remote sensing for complex regional land use [1] Group 2: Prospecting Awards - Five achievements received the First Prize, including breakthroughs in the coupling mechanism of rare metal and lead-zinc deposits in the western edge of the Yangtze block [1] - Nine achievements were awarded the Second Prize, focusing on key theoretical innovations in deep-sea reservoir configurations [1] Group 3: Youth Science and Technology Awards - The average age of the Youth Science and Technology Award winners is 41, with the youngest being 36, indicating a significant role of young researchers in the field [2] - The achievements reflect the strong support measures implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources, including policy planning and talent support systems [2] Group 4: Evaluation Process - The awards were determined based on the interim regulations of the Natural Resources Science and Technology Award, involving a comprehensive evaluation process by multiple industry associations [2]

Core Viewpoint - Natural resource technology innovation is essential for maintaining national strategic security, addressing resource and environmental constraints, and promoting high-quality industrial development. The recent guidelines from the 20th Central Committee emphasize the leading role of technological innovation in this context [1][9]. Group 1: Technological Innovation Framework - The Ministry of Natural Resources has been advancing a framework for technological innovation characterized by "three depths, four dimensions, and five systems" to support modern governance from mountains to oceans [1][3]. - The establishment of a new national technology management system aims to enhance the coordination of technological efforts across various departments, fostering a collaborative innovation ecosystem [3][6]. Group 2: Major Technological Initiatives - Significant projects include the "Deep Earth" initiative and various key national research programs aimed at enhancing understanding and exploration of natural resources [4][15]. - The focus on energy resource security has led to breakthroughs in domestic supply of high-purity quartz, achieving a purity level of no less than 99.998% [4][16]. Group 3: Digital and Green Transformation - The integration of nearly 7,000 reference stations has resulted in a nationwide satellite navigation system capable of providing centimeter-level precision, supporting various national events [5][16]. - The development of a monitoring network for land space planning has facilitated effective management and monitoring of national strategic spaces [5][16]. Group 4: Talent and Education Development - The establishment of numerous national-level innovation platforms and a growing pool of high-level talent, including 33 academicians, is enhancing the strategic technological capabilities of the industry [6][17]. - Policies aimed at improving the effectiveness of innovation and talent development are being implemented, including over 20 key policy documents to support scientific research and innovation [7][17]. Group 5: Strategic Development Goals - The "15th Five-Year Plan" outlines a strategic framework focusing on original innovation, integration of technology and industry, and the development of a comprehensive resource management system [9][10]. - The plan emphasizes the importance of enhancing capabilities in key technology areas and fostering a robust ecosystem for innovation across various sectors [10][19].

Group 1: Technological Breakthroughs in Natural Resource Science - China has achieved multiple breakthroughs in natural resource technology during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, supporting significant achievements in aerospace, geological exploration, and marine resources [1][2][3] - The "Lutian-1" satellite project has made a comprehensive breakthrough in L-band radar interferometry technology, enabling nationwide monthly data acquisition for geological hazard monitoring [1] - Innovations in copper mining theories and technologies have led to significant breakthroughs in copper exploration in Tibet, enhancing China's copper resource security [2] Group 2: Advances in Rare Metal Extraction - The Mining and Metallurgy Technology Group has developed key technologies for the efficient extraction of low-grade rare metals from coal, aluminum, copper, lead, and zinc ores, increasing the recovery rate of germanium from coal to over 80% [2] - The average recovery rate of gallium, germanium, and indium during lead-zinc smelting processes has improved by approximately 10% [2] Group 3: Marine Engineering Innovations - The design, manufacturing, and installation of subsea pipelines have been successfully applied in major domestic and international projects, including the first commercial application of a 32-inch large-diameter bimetallic composite pipe [3] - China's "Deep Sea No. 1" vessel, along with the "Jiaolong" manned submersible, completed the country's first Arctic dive, establishing China as the first nation to conduct routine manned submersible operations in densely ice-covered Arctic regions [3] Group 4: Future Directions in Natural Resource Technology - The Ministry of Natural Resources plans to strengthen original innovation and tackle key challenges during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, focusing on major national scientific projects and establishing joint funds for marine and land research [4]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint emphasizes the importance of youth talent in driving high-quality development in the natural resources sector through systematic support mechanisms [1] - The article highlights the need to break down barriers for young talent, advocating for policies that ensure at least 5% of research projects are led by individuals under 40 years old [1] - It calls for the establishment of a "trial and error" project fund to encourage young teams to explore non-consensus technology paths, thereby reducing growth pressures [1] Group 2 - The article discusses the creation of 53 youth strike teams in 2024 to tackle urgent tasks, showcasing the integration of technological innovation with engineering practice [2] - Examples of successful youth teams include advancements in seawater desalination technology and the establishment of monitoring stations in challenging environments, demonstrating their capability to tackle tough challenges [2] - The average age of the Yellow River ecological protection monitoring team is noted to be 33.5 years, highlighting the youthful demographic contributing to significant technological achievements [2] Group 3 - The article stresses the need for a comprehensive support system for sustainable development of youth talent, focusing on recruitment, training, utilization, and retention [3] - It points out existing issues such as excessive administrative tasks that hinder research time, calling for a regular supervision mechanism to ensure research activities are prioritized [3] - The establishment of international collaboration opportunities is encouraged to enhance the global presence and influence of young talent in the natural resources sector [3]

Group 1 - The meeting emphasized the importance of advancing major scientific and technological projects in natural resources, aligning with national strategic tasks and current needs [1][2][9] - It was highlighted that the natural resources sector is transitioning from a following and catching-up phase to a leading phase in technological innovation [2][9] - The meeting called for enhanced collaboration and precise management in the implementation of key technology projects, ensuring the effective use of funds and resources [1][2][8] Group 2 - The meeting discussed the establishment of a long-term mechanism for supervising major scientific projects and national key laboratories, focusing on risk identification and management [1][2][8] - It was noted that the integration of ecological restoration with industrial heritage protection is crucial for achieving sustainable development in urban areas [3][4][5] - The release of a long-term satellite remote sensing dataset for marine color elements aims to support marine environmental monitoring and disaster reduction efforts [6][9]