China Deploys Giant Antenna in Race for Critical Minerals
Hidden in the rugged granite landscapes of central China stands one of the largest antennas ever built. Stretching across an area five times the size of New York City, this 500-kilowatt electromagnetic installation was originally designed for submarine communication. Today, it has become a symbol of China’s growing dominance in the search for critical minerals.
Driving the Global Hunt for Green Tech Metals
As the world races to secure vital resources for renewable energy and green technologies, China has taken a commanding lead. Lithium, cobalt and rare earths are essential for producing batteries, electric vehicles and clean energy infrastructure. To strengthen its position, Chinese scientists are now deploying advanced electromagnetic systems to probe kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface in search of these resources.
Groundbreaking Discoveries Through Electromagnetic Exploration
The antenna is part of the Wireless Electromagnetic Method (WEM) project, a vast research initiative pushing the limits of geological exploration. In recent years, Chinese teams have announced remarkable breakthroughs, including the discovery of the world’s largest gold deposit, ultra-large lithium reserves, and deep uranium ore formations previously thought unreachable.
The most striking find came in central Hunan province, where researchers uncovered a deposit containing 490 million tonnes of lithium ore. This single discovery highlights the scale of China’s success in leveraging electromagnetic technology for resource exploration.
China’s Edge in the Minerals Race
Details of China’s state-of-the-art exploration tools were shared publicly for the first time in a China Geological Survey study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Geophysical & Geochemical Exploration in August. The study revealed that China’s arsenal of powerful antennas and sensors is unmatched, giving the country a decisive edge in the competition for minerals critical to the future of green energy.
With these technological advances, China continues to strengthen its control over the world’s most sought-after resources, leaving other nations struggling to keep pace.