Core Viewpoint - The discovery of high-purity quartz ore in China marks a significant breakthrough, potentially altering the landscape of key material supply and reducing dependency on foreign sources, particularly the United States [1][12]. Group 1: Importance of High-Purity Quartz - High-purity quartz is essential for high-tech applications, including semiconductor chips and solar panels, due to its high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and excellent insulation properties [3][10]. - Prior to this discovery, China relied heavily on imports of high-purity quartz sand, spending approximately 13.16 billion on imports last year, which created a significant financial burden and dependency on foreign suppliers [6][18]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The discovery allows China to produce high-purity quartz with a purity of over 99.995%, comparable to the best global sources, thus enhancing domestic production capabilities and reducing reliance on imports [8][10]. - This new resource is expected to improve the yield rates for chip manufacturers by at least 8% and reduce costs in the solar industry by 15%, providing a strategic advantage in technology development [10][20]. Group 3: Impact on US-China Relations - The timing of this discovery is crucial amid escalating trade tensions and technology restrictions from the US, as it undermines the US's leverage over China in critical technology sectors [12][15]. - By securing its own supply of high-purity quartz, China effectively counters US tariffs and resource control strategies, shifting the balance of power in its favor [16][18]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The discovery is seen as a pivotal moment for China's technological independence, enabling the country to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and innovation potential [20][21]. - This development not only alleviates immediate resource constraints but also positions China favorably in the ongoing global technology competition [20].

自然资源部近日发布《新发现矿种公告》称，经国务院批准，高纯石英矿成为我国第174号矿种。这一 新矿种是在我国河南东秦岭、新疆阿勒泰等地区发现的。 石英，以二氧化硅为主，具有耐高温、耐腐蚀、低热膨胀性、高绝缘性和透光性等特性，是半导体、光 伏等战略性新兴产业必不可缺的关键基础材料。但在自然界中，高纯石英矿非常稀有。本次设立确定的 新矿种高纯石英矿，是指在当前技术经济条件下，经选矿、提纯可获得高纯石英砂二氧化硅（SiO_2） 纯度不低于99.995%（4N5），杂质、包裹体含量以及粒度满足半导体、光伏、光学等高新领域应用要 求的岩石。 此前，我国在2017年将天然气水合物列为我国第173个矿种。天然气水合物俗称"可燃冰"。在同等条件 下，可燃冰燃烧产生的能量比煤、石油、天然气要多出10倍，1立方米可燃冰分解后可释放出164立方米 天然气。此次高纯石英矿被列为新矿种消息公布后，两市石英相关个股出现普涨。 当前，全球贸易保护主义兴起，各国纷纷提升国内矿产资源特别是战略性矿产资源保障能力。高纯石英 矿作为世界稀缺、我国高度依赖进口的战略性资源，其成矿地质特性、开采条件特殊。 近年来，在新一轮找矿突破大背景下，我国在新疆 ...