参考答案：
Mineral resources are the natural concentrations formed through geological processes of the earths crust and surface. They have value for development and utilization under the current economic and technological conditions. They are solid, liquid and gaseous natural resources.
China is one of the few big countries boasting large quantities of resources and almost all types of mineral resources in the world. So far, 171 types of minerals have been discovered, and 158 of them with proved reserves. There are about 18,000 orefields,including over 7,000 large and medium-sized ones. China's total amount of mineral resources accounts for about 12 percent of the worlds total and ranks third in the world. But its per capita amount only accounts for 58 percent of the world's per capita quantity and ranks 53rd in the world. At present, over 92 percent of the nonrenewable energy, 80 percent of industrial raw materials, over 70 percent of agricultural means of production and over 30 percent of the water for domestic use in the country come from mineral resources.
Mineral resources are an important material foundation for human subsistence and social development. They must be adequately guaranteed for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. We must persist in putting the human factor above everything else, follow the scientific outlook on comprehensive，balanced and sustainable development, and do everything possible to prospect more mineral resources.
