The Luobusha mining area in the Xizang autonomous region has added 738,300 metric tons of chromite resources, marking a breakthrough in deep and peripheral exploration, according to the latest exploration results announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, exploration teams made the first discovery in the Dongqiao region of Xizang of what has been identified as the world's fourth new type of chromite deposit, adding 1.1463 million tons of associated chromite ore resources and expanding the scope and approach for chromite exploration in China.

Chromite ore is the primary source of the critical metal chromium. Because chromium enhances the hardness, toughness, heat resistance and corrosion resistance of steel, it is often referred to as the "vitamin" of the steel industry.

China is one of the world's largest consumers of chromite. However, the mineral is extremely scarce and is exceptionally difficult to prospect, making it a highly significant strategic mineral resource for the country.