Fluorite, a strategic mineral for China's future development, will be in high demand

Fluorite is a scarce strategic resource. According to the Ministry of Land and Resources, the National Mineral Resources Planning (2016-2020), approved by the State Council, has included fluorite and 23 other minerals in the strategic mineral catalogue for the first time. The 24 minerals listed in the strategic mineral catalogue are: energy minerals such as oil, natural gas, shale gas, coal, coalbed methane, and uranium; metal minerals such as iron, chromium, copper, aluminum, gold, nickel, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, antimony, cobalt, lithium, rare earths, and zirconium; and non-metallic minerals such as phosphorus, potash, crystalline graphite, and fluorite. 
It is noteworthy that why does China regard fluorite as a strategic mineral for future development? 
1. Wide range of applications 
The most important use of fluorite is in the production of hydrofluoric acid, with half of the world's fluorite production being utilized for this purpose. Hydrofluoric acid has a wide range of applications and serves as a crucial raw material for the production of various organic and inorganic fluorides, as well as elemental fluorine, including: 
(1) In the aluminum industry, hydrofluoric acid is used to produce aluminum fluoride, artificial cryolite, sodium fluoride, and magnesium fluoride; 
(2) The semiconductor industry uses it to remove oxides from the surface of silicon; 
(3) In refineries, it can be used as a catalyst for the alkylation reaction of isobutane and n-butene; 
(4) In the aviation and aerospace industries, hydrofluoric acid is primarily used to produce liquid propellants for jet engines and jet fuel propellants for missiles; 
(5) In the atomic energy industry, hydrofluoric acid is primarily used to produce UF4, which is then fluorinated to form UF6. U235 is separated through gas diffusion or gas centrifuge methods; 
(6) Hydrofluoric acid is also used in the "acid immersion" process to remove oxygen-containing impurities from the surface of stainless steel; 
(7) Hydrofluoric acid is also used to etch glass, allowing for the engraving of patterns, scales, and text; 
(8) Due to its ability to dissolve oxides, hydrofluoric acid plays an important role in the purification of aluminum and uranium; 
(9) Hydrofluoric acid is also used in the synthesis of various fluorinated organic compounds, such as Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) and refrigerants like Freon 
2. China boasts high storage capacity and prominent advantages 
Fluorite resources are widely distributed globally. According to estimates from the USGS (United States Geological Survey), as of the end of 2018, global fluorite reserves amounted to 310 million tons. Mexico leads the world in fluorite reserves, with 68 million tons, accounting for 21.9% of the global total. China and South Africa have fluorite reserves of 42 million tons and 41 million tons, respectively, representing 13.5% and 13.2% of the global total. 
Distribution of global fluorite resource reserves in 2018 
Fluorite is a dominant mineral in China, with widespread deposits. According to statistics, as of 2017, China's proven reserves of fluorite resources amounted to approximately 242 million tons. 
"Change chart of proven reserves of fluorite in China from 2010 to 2017 (in hundred million tons)" 
3. China ranks first in the world in terms of production 
Currently, the major fluorite-producing countries include China, South Africa, Mexico, Mongolia, and Spain. According to statistics, in 2018, the global fluorite production was approximately 5.8 million tons. China's fluorite production accounted for 60% of the global fluorite production, ranking first globally. In addition, the United States possesses 4 million tons of fluorite resources, but in order to protect its national fluorite resources, its fluorite demand has been entirely met by imports from abroad in recent years. 
Distribution of fluorite production in major countries worldwide in 2018 (in 10,000 tons) 
4. Wide downstream distribution and high demand 
The downstream industries of fluorspar are widely distributed, with the fluorine chemical industry having the greatest demand for fluorspar. The amount of aluminum fluoride used in the electrolytic aluminum industry is also on the rise. 
Main applications of fluorite products 
Aluminum fluoride can be used in the production of electrolytic aluminum. According to the general production process of electrolytic aluminum, approximately 25 kilograms of aluminum fluoride are consumed per ton of electrolytic aluminum, while 1.6 tons of acid-grade fluorite concentrate are required per ton of aluminum fluoride. Through calculation, the acid-grade fluorite concentrate consumed for the production of aluminum fluoride in China in 2018 was 143.2 tons, a significant increase compared to 2017. 
China's electrolytic aluminum production and growth rate from 2010 to 2018 
Fluorite will be "on fire" all the way 
In the international market, China is undoubtedly a major producer of fluorite, possessing significant advantages in terms of resource share, mining technology, and production costs. Exporting fluorite overseas can not only stimulate the economy but also promote the formation of a unified domestic fluorite market. 
From the perspective of the domestic market, China's economy has experienced rapid development over the past decade. As the country elevates the development of strategic emerging industries such as new materials and new energy to the level of national strategy, the demand for fluorite will gradually increase. Last year, the steel market began to recover, and fluorite, as a metallurgical solvent, was also consumed in large quantities, leading to a significant increase in fluorite consumption. With technological advancements, the downstream products of fluorite will also gradually increase. 
It can be seen that fluorite deserves its status as a "strategic mineral for future development"! Moreover, fluorite itself is a non-renewable resource. With China's various advantages, it will surely continue to support the fluorite industry, and the Chinese fluorite industry will surely continue to thrive steadily