Xi urges geological workers to play bigger role in mineral exploration

President Xi Jinping has encouraged a team of geological workers in Shandong province to carry forward fine traditions, play a bigger role in mineral resource exploration and make more contributions to the nation's energy resource security.

Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, made remarks in a letter to workers from a heroic geological team at the Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. The letter was dated Sunday and made public on Tuesday.

Xi's reply came after the geological workers from the bureau's No 6 Geological Team wrote to him recently, reporting the achievements they've made in mineral exploration and expressing their determination to dedicate themselves to geological work to ensure the security of the nation's energy resources.

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In the reply letter, Xi said that mineral resources are important materials that are the basis of economic and social development, and mineral resources exploration and development are important for national development, people's well-being and State security.

He expressed his hope that the geological workers would fully carry on the fine tradition of loving the country and be dedicated to pioneering, innovative and hard work, and actively implement the green development philosophy.

Xi urged the geological workers to make more efforts in mineral exploration, make breakthroughs in science and technology, and play a greater role in the new round of strategic operations for mineral exploration.

It was honored as a heroic geological team by the State CouncilState Council, China's Cabinet, in 1992 due to its geological workers' selfless dedication and the great achievements they have made.

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Since its founding, the geological team has been known for its innovation and achievements in gold resources exploration. Its exploration has resulted in accumulative gold resources of more than 2,810 metric tons, which ranks it as the first in gold resources exploration nationwide.