(Yicai Global) Aug. 16 -- Mineral explorers have found large masses of manganese ore in western China's Xinjiang province which will make the region into the largest producer of such mineral resource.

Employees of Markansu Manganese Mine found three mid- and large-sized manganese ore deposits, which consist of Aoertuokanashi, Muhu, and Markasu, covering a length of 65 kilometers in the county of Akto, Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, state-backed the Science and Technology Daily reported. The total amount of the mineral resource, which is used for rust-prevention in steel-making, is predicted to exceed 100 million tons.

In June, the exploration team's deep drilling project discovered 7.5 million tons of manganese ore at the Muhu deposit, while the total quantity was expected to reach 50 million tons. The mine features stable potential of high grade of ores, the report said.

Editor: Emmi Laine