A research project on micro-metallurgical technology was launched at Central China University Monday, indicative of China's decision to secure its mineral resources in a scientific way instead continuing its current policy of indiscriminate mining.

As a branch of frontier science, micro-metallurgical technology can double the utilization ratio of mineral resources, said Prof. Qiu Guanzhou, who is in charge of the research project.

Prof. Qiu cited copper as an example. China has 69.17 million tons of cooper reserves. Using traditional technology, only 28 percent of it can be utilized and, with micro-metallurgical technology, however, 100 percent of it can be utilized.

The technology is of great significance to China because the majority of rich ore mines in the country have been exploited, he acknowledged. If China sticks to traditional mining technology, the country's copper resources are expected to be dried up in 13 years and all its gold mines will be opened up in eight years. With the new technology, nevertheless, the amount of copper to be utilized will be increased by tens of millions tons.

Micro-metallurgical technology has been used extensively in copper, gold and uranium extraction around the world. As 90 percent of mines in China are low-grade, vulcanized mines, application of the technology has bright prospects here, said Prof. Qiu.