Benxi Daily June 22, 2009 Reporter: Huang Xueren Zengjin (Located in the town of Dataigou, The iron ore reserves of more than 3 billion tons have been identified. It is largest iron ore found in Asia. Minister of Land and Xu Shaoshi came to "visit the set") The discovery of Dataigou mine with more than 3 billion tons of iron ore reserves of shocked the nation and the world, and attracted the close attention of the leaders of the State. On the evening of June 18, Minister of Land Resources and party secretary Xu Shaoshi, led his subordinates to the exploration site by making a special trip--"visit the set"-to the cadres and workers who conducted exploration days and nights on the wild mountain, and to inspect the site. Other inspectors were vice minister of Land and Resources, National Mapping Secretary Xu Deming, deputy director of China Geological Survey Bureau Zhong Zirang, Shenyang National Land Agency inspector Secretary Cui Yan and so on. Provincial Vice Governor Zhao Guohong, Deputy Secretary-General Zhou Wanchun, Land and Resources Department Director Yan Jinlin, deputy director Ji Fenglan, provincial geological survey bureau Wenli, Mayor Gang Rui, Vice Secretary of Municipal Party Committee Li Jingyang, member of the standing Municipal Committee, vice mayor He Huanqiu and Secretary General Guan Shaowei accompanied the expedition.     Dataigou Iron mine was discovered by studying nearly 15 years of the regional geological survey data and the secondary development. After reporting to the China Geological Survey, a team of professionals conducted the geological exploration. In order to clarify the iron ore reserve, the exploration team has drilled a total of 17 exploration holes, including 12 holes to iron ore exploration, covering an area of 4 km long, 3 km wide. These exploration holes have found the iron ore from 1,200 meters deep to 1860 meters underground. The iron core were extracted from the deepest drill hole underground 2015 m with high grade of iron. Based on the current drilling data, the iron ore reserve could be more than 30 million tons. According to theoretical estimates, there may be double of above estimate and the continued exploration is needed. According to experts, the iron ore reserve of Dataigou mine is equivalent to the sum of all the iron ore reserve in the Ansan and Benxi region. The iron ore in Dataigou is buried deep, and the type of ore are magnet, hematite, and the mixed, with iron ore grade of 25% -62%. At 7:40 p.m. evening, Minister Xu Shaoshi came directly to Dataigou and walked to the drilling exploration site in the mountains. He first congratulated the cadres and workers for the exploration, and then he learnt more about the exploration situation. He then went to the iron ore core storage room to hear the detailed technical report on the Dataigou iron ore exploration and reserve estimation, and to inspect the iron ore core samples. Finally, he asked the local authorities to give priority to the assessment of iron or resources within 2000 meters underground, and to design and develop the iron mine with the most advanced concepts and ideas, so that the Asia's largest iron ore deposit can contribute to national and local economic as soon as possible. The discovery of Dataigou iron mine laid a solid foundation for future development, the iron and steel industry of Benxi will become larger and stronger.