A total of 69 mineral types have been discovered in Hengyang City, with proven reserves for 57 of them. These include six energy minerals, 29 metal minerals, 33 non-metal minerals, and one type of water and gas mineral. The city has implemented 20 geological exploration projects (including ongoing projects).

Hengyang is known as a major hub for non-ferrous metals in Hunan Province and serves as an important base for non-metallic mineral resources. Over 60 types of proven mineral deposits have been identified, including iron, manganese, lead, zinc, tungsten, copper, tin, gold, uranium, kaolin, barite, potassium feldspar, sodium feldspar, and coal, with more than 440 mining sites of varying sizes. The city’s lead-zinc reserves total 2.1447 million tons, ranking first in the province.

Tin reserves amount to 12.67 million tons, accounting for 66% of the provincial total, while gold reserves make up nearly 50% of the province’s total. Feldspar reserves account for 99% of the province’s supply. Changning’s Shuikoushan is renowned as the “Kingdom of Lead and Zinc” and has been mined for over a century. As of the end of 1992, it still held the largest lead-zinc reserves in China. The kaolin deposits in Jiepai and Hengshan-Maji areas cover more than 40 square kilometers, making it one of the four major porcelain clay bases in China. The potassium feldspar deposits in Maji and Donghu areas have reserves of 13.2 million tons, ranking first in Asia.

Gold Deposits：Both rock gold, placer gold, and associated gold deposits are present within the region. Major deposits are found in Changning’s Shuikoushan, as well as Jinan Temple, Jinximiao, Huangtutang, Liusiqiao, and Da’an in Hengyang County. Other deposits exist in Ganxi of Hengdong County, Dianmenqian and Lingpo of Hengshan County. Among them, Shuikoushan in Changning has associated gold reserves of 82.88 tons, accounting for over 50% of Hunan’s total.

Rock Salt Deposits：The city’s rock salt resources are mainly located in Hengyang’s urban area, extending from Jinjialing in the north to Jiangjiashan in the south, covering an interconnected mining area of 800 square kilometers. The total rock salt reserves reach 140 billion tons, with large-scale deposits, simple geological structures, and stable mineral layers. The halite mineral layers range from 51 to 335 meters in thickness, with an average sodium chloride content of 46.62% and a mineralization rate of 86%. The establishment of Xiangheng Salt Mine in 1969 marked the end of Hengyang’s salt shortage.

Barite Deposits：Major barite mines are located in Tanzishan of Hengnan County, Xinqiao of Hengshan County, Quanxin of Hengdong County, Zhaobingling of Hengyang County, and Dingling of Qidong County. The barite from Tanzishan in Hengnan County is of the highest quality, with barium sulfate content reaching 94.5%, making it a key barite production area in Hunan.

Kaolin Deposits：Also known as porcelain clay, kaolin is mainly found in Jiepai, Guoqing, and Jiangbaiyan of Hengyang County; Maji, Donghu, and Wangfeng of Hengshan County; Xiling and Shuang’an of Changning City; and Shangbao and Jixian of Leiyang City. The Jiepai-Maji region is one of China’s four major porcelain clay bases, with industrial reserves of 9.314 million tons.

Iron Ore Deposits：Hengyang has the largest iron ore reserves among all cities in Hunan Province. The main deposits are concentrated in Maduqiao, Qingshan, Yuanliping, Lingguan, Hejiachong, and Liyushan in Qidong County, which hold around 200 million tons. Other deposits are found in Zhangcunjiao, Jinzhu, Huaqiao, and Lijiang in Hengnan County, as well as Yangjia, Tonghuang in Changning City, and Shangbao, Daozi in Leiyang City.

Lead-Zinc Deposits：With over 30 lead-zinc ore deposits, Hengyang’s total reserves stand at 2.62 million tons, ranking first in China. Major deposits are found in Shuikoushan, Yangjia, Miaoqian, Baisha, Daohu of Changning; Lingpo, Maji, Donghu, Futian of Hengshan; Tubao, Luodu of Leiyang; Sankouwan, Qingshuitang of Qidong; Shuangxi of Hengyang; Yuxing, Donggangshan, Diaomalong, Yinkengchong of Hengdong; and Huaqiao, Dongyang of Hengnan. Shuikoushan in Changning has the largest lead-zinc reserves in China, earning it the title “Kingdom of Lead and Zinc.” Despite a century of mining, it still had 765,300 tons of reserves as of 1992, maintaining its top position nationwide.

Coal Deposits：Hengyang’s coal resources are primarily found in Baisha, Mashui, Dahetan, and Nanjingqiao of Leiyang; Yanhu, Dapu, Baifang of Changning; Zhoushi of Hengshan; Shanchao of Hengyang; Gaohu of Hengdong; Baiji, Jingzichong, and Moshitang of Qidong. The most concentrated deposits are in Leiyang, covering 427.6 square kilometers with estimated reserves of 460 million tons. In 1993, raw coal production reached 4.238 million tons, making Leiyang one of Hunan’s leading coal-producing counties.

Gypsum Deposits：Hengshan County has abundant gypsum resources, with preliminary proven reserves exceeding 10 million tons. Its blue gypsum contains more than 75% calcium sulfate and is mainly used as a setting agent in silicate cement. White gypsum (also known as fiber gypsum) contains 95.5% calcium sulfate and is widely used in ceramics, chemicals, education, and agriculture. Raw gypsum powder contains 99.1% calcium sulfate, while calcined gypsum has 99.5% purity. These products are used for casting molds in ceramics, special metal castings, and other applications. Hengshan’s gypsum board products are highly durable, easy to install, and widely distributed across Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Hainan, with annual sales exceeding 150,000 tons.

Marble (Han White Jade) Deposits：Leiyang has identified over 40 million cubic meters of Han white jade, available in two types: egg-green and snow-white, with the former being particularly valuable. This marble is known for its purity, fine texture, and strong luster, resembling jade in smoothness. With excellent hardness and stable properties, it has been used in iconic buildings such as the Great Hall of the People, the Monument to the People’s Heroes in Beijing, the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, Orange Isle in Changsha, and the Nanyue Temple. Its products are sold in over 10 provinces and cities, including Guangdong and Hainan.

Sodium Feldspar Deposits：Hengshan’s sodium feldspar reserves are the largest in Asia, with an annual production capacity of 120,000 tons and mineral powder processing capacity of 50,000 tons. Proven reserves stand at 40 million tons, with a projected reserve of over 100 million tons, making it the largest sodium feldspar deposit in Southeast Asia. The feldspar has high quality and stable chemical composition. It is widely used in medium-alkali glass, flat glass, ceramics, chemicals, and rubber industries, with customers in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Anhui, as well as exports to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.