More funds for unlocking mineral wealth

China will invest over 3 billion yuan on geological surveys for mining resources next year, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources.

Last year, the government spent over 2 billion yuan for geological surveys with nearly 40 percent of the funds spent in western China, said the Ministry.

"The government is investing more in mineral exploration to help Chinese mining industry tide over the present crisis," Zhong Ziran, deputy director of China Geological Survey affiliated with the Ministry of Land and Resources said at the China Mining Congress & Expo 2008.