China discovers high-purity quartz for semiconductor industry

(ECNS) -- China has discovered a new mineral type, high-purity quartz, primarily used in high-tech industries including semiconductors and photovoltaics, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources of China on Thursday.

With the approval of the State Council, high-purity quartz has been officially designated as a new statutory mineral resource in China.

A spokesperson for the Ministry stated that high-purity quartz possesses characteristics like high temperature resistance, high insulation, and high light transmittance.

As a critical material for strategic emerging industries like semiconductors and photovoltaics, the new material plays a vital role in national high-tech competition.

In recent years, multiple high-purity quartz deposits have been discovered in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and other areas. China has set up research institutes and enterprises to develop purification technologies for high-purity quartz.

The official said China would focus on improving purification and testing technologies and developing ways to use the mineral in practice.

(By Gong Weiwei)