Shotlist Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, south China - Recent 1. Various of researchers, miners conducting exploration 2. Photos of researchers conducting exploration Beijing, China - Recent 3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yan Jiayong, director, deep mineral exploration theory and technology research office, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (starting with shot 2/ending with 4-7): "We were intrigued by the specific mineral assemblage that led to the formation of such an ultra-rich deposit in this location. Jinxiuite, composed of nickel, bismuth, sulfur, and antimony, essentially forms by replacing earlier nickel-bearing minerals. This process rearranges the crystal structure, resulting in a completely new and stable mineral." 4. Various of scientist operating microscope FILE: China - Exact Location and Date Unknown 5. Photo of information of mineral Jinxiuite 6. Microscope images of mineral Jinxiuite 7. Animation of crystal structure of mineral Jinxiuite Beijing, China - Recent 8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Tang Hejun, senior engineer, deep mineral exploration theory and technology research office, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (partially overlaid with shots 9-10/ending with shot 11): "The Jinxiuite contains various valuable metals, including nickel, cobalt, and bismuth. We have to study whether these metals can be easily extracted, as this directly impacts the recovery rate and economic viability of comprehensive resource utilization for such deposits in the future. We will develop theoretical models to establish Jinxiuite as a 'pathfinder mineral.' In future geological surveys, detecting Jinxiuite or similar minerals in rock or drill core samples would strongly indicate the likely presence of nearby, concealed, and economically valuable nickel-cobalt mineralization." [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 9. Various of scientist working in lab, analyzing microscope image 10. Various of screen showing microscope image of mineral [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 11. Mineral samples in container 12. Various of ores 13. Various of scientist operating microscope FILE: China - Exact Location and Date Unknown 14. Aerial shot of trucks running 15. Various of vehicles, machines operating at mine 16. Aerial shot of mine Storyline Chinese geologists have discovered a new mineral named "Jinxiuite" in a high-grade nickel-cobalt deposit, a finding expected to become a crucial guide for locating similar hidden ore bodies and strengthening the country's strategic resource security. Approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), the nickel-bismuth-antimony-arsenic sulfide was identified by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources' China Geological Survey. The mineral was found in the Longhua nickel and cobalt deposit in Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. This deposit is exceptionally rich, containing about 17.5 percent nickel and 1.5 percent cobalt, nearly 80 times the typical levels of 0.2 percent nickel and 0.02 percent cobalt. Yan Jiayong, director of the deep mineral exploration theory and technology research office at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, shared their insights from the investigation. "We were intrigued by the specific mineral assemblage that led to the formation of such an ultra-rich deposit in this location. Jinxiuite, composed of nickel, bismuth, sulfur, and antimony, essentially forms by replacing earlier nickel-bearing minerals. This process rearranges the crystal structure, resulting in a completely new and stable mineral," he said. Nickel-cobalt deposits like the one hosting Jinxiuite represent critically scarce resources, with cobalt in particular facing long-term reliance on heavy imports. The discovery is significant for advancing understanding of how such hydrothermal nickel-cobalt deposits form and for guiding future exploration efforts. Tang Hejun, a senior engineer at the research office, outlined the practical next steps. "The Jinxiuite contains various valuable metals, including nickel, cobalt, and bismuth. We have to study whether these metals can be easily extracted, as this directly impacts the recovery rate and economic viability of comprehensive resource utilization for such deposits in the future. We will develop theoretical models to establish Jinxiuite as a 'pathfinder mineral.' In future geological surveys, detecting Jinxiuite or similar minerals in rock or drill core samples would strongly indicate the likely presence of nearby, concealed, and economically valuable nickel-cobalt mineralization," Tang added. The discovery positions Jinxiuite as a potential key to unlocking further domestic resources of these strategic metals. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]