"As a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC), maintaining a strong party spirit and dedicating oneself wholeheartedly to the cause has been the driving force behind my work for so many years," said Wang He, a researcher at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Guangzhou Geochemistry Institute), in a recent interview with Chinese Science Bulletin. He spends at least one-third of his time each year working in the field.
Wang He has long been committed to working in the snowy plateau, achieving breakthroughs in both the theory and practice of mineral exploration. He has discovered more than 10 ore deposits (points) including the Bai Longshan super-large lithium deposit in the Western Kunlun-Karakoram, laying a solid foundation for China's rare metal mineralization and mineral exploration theory to advance to the forefront internationally. His contributions have also been significant in addressing China's shortage of lithium resources.
Recently, Wang He was named the "Innovative Figure of the Year" by the Chinese Academy of Sciences for 2023.
Wang He is in the snowy plateau. Photo provided by the interviewee.
A Love for Mountains Since Childhood
Wang He is primarily engaged in research in the fields of ore deposits, mineralization prediction, and mineral exploration. His success is not incidental but the result of his dedication, perseverance, and courage to explore over 30 years.
Born in November 1966 in Beitun, Xinjiang, Wang grew up in the Gobi Desert. "Looking north from my hometown, you can see the Altai Mountains resembling a sleeping dragon, which sparked my inexplicable love for mountains since childhood."
In 1984, influenced by a classmate's father, Wang learned that the Koktokay No. 3 mine (a lithium-beryllium rare metal mine) had contributed over 40% of China's repayment of debts to the Soviet Union. This piqued his interest in geological work, leading him to enroll in the Geology Department of Northwest University, thus beginning his journey into geological exploration.
After graduating from university, Wang returned to his hometown and joined the Xinjiang Nonferrous Geological Research Institute, where he started working on mineral exploration and prediction in the Tianshan and Altai Mountains. In 1992, he visited the Koktokay No. 3 mine for the first time, experiencing the splendor of the "meritorious mine" firsthand and secretly resolving to discover a world-class large mine.
During his tenure in Xinjiang, Wang was responsible for submitting the exploration report for the Qiaoxiaha Copper-Gold Mine, providing technical support for its development and achieving good economic benefits for the Xinjiang Nonferrous Geological Research Institute and Fuyun County. Due to his outstanding performance, Wang was selected by the China Nonferrous Metal Industry Corporation in 1995 to pursue master's and doctoral degrees at Central South University.
During his doctoral studies, Wang discovered and explored the Bt.Punda copper deposit as part of a research project for Malaysia's MABONG MINING SDN BHD company. After obtaining his Ph.D. in 2001, he came to the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry for postdoctoral research, recommended by his university classmate and fellow Xinjiang native Chang Xiangyang (now Dean of the International Education Institute at Guangzhou University).
"After coming to the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, my horizons widened. Senior geologists, ore deposit geologists, and geochemists such as Tu Guangchi had a significant influence on me," Wang explained. Academician Tu Guangchi is the founder of China's geochemistry discipline, and his lifelong dedication exemplifies how scientists should be dedicated to national affairs and responsibilities.
It is understood that from 2002 to 2005, Wang took on the first "Fifteen-Year Plan" national key scientific and technological research project, focusing on the "Target Area Selection and Evaluation of Prospective Ore Zones in the Western Section of the Altai Copper Belt," demonstrating even greater responsibility and enthusiasm for his work.
Thesis Written on the Snowy Plateau
The Kunlun Mountains are renowned in Chinese history and culture as the "ancestors of dragon veins" and the "ancestors of ten thousand mountains."
It is a mystical land, harboring rich treasures. Since 2006, Wang has been researching various mineral resources in the western Kunlun region and planning how to find large to super-large lithium mines under China's existing conditions.
Wang He introduced the discovery of the Bailongshan lithium mine to Chinese Academy of Sciences academicians Wu Fuyuan (center) and Xu Yigang (left). Photo provided by interviewees.
"In the remote and frigid regions of the Western Kunlun-Karakoram, there are no roads, only rugged terrain. Prospecting in such areas relies on trekking step by step," said Wang He. In 2016, after two months of fieldwork, Wang He's team discovered the first spodumene vein at an altitude of 5300 meters in the depths of the Karakoram.
The discovery of the first lithium spodumene ore boosted the confidence of Wang He and his team, leading them to expand their exploration efforts. Scaling even higher peaks, they discovered 47 lithium ore veins in total. "These veins, situated between 4500 and 5800 meters above sea level in the heart of the Karakoram, are often shrouded in perennial snow and mist, resembling a soaring white dragon, hence named the Bailongshan lithium-beryllium-rubidium rare metal mine," Wang He explained.
According to him, the discovery of the super-large Bailongshan lithium-beryllium-rubidium mine is a significant breakthrough in the field of mineral resources research with profound political, economic, and social benefits. The related achievements were showcased in exhibitions such as the "Innovation Achievement Exhibition of the Chinese Academy of Sciences since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2018," "70 Years of Serving the Country with Science and Technology, Innovation Supporting the Nation's Dream - Exhibition of Innovative Achievements of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019," and the "Exhibition of Scientific and Technological Achievements of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2022."
Building upon this foundation, Wang He proposed a "symmetrical zoning exploration model for spodumene veins" by studying the zoning characteristics of the spodumene veins in the Bailongshan area, providing a solid theoretical basis for the exploration of rare metal deposits in areas like Bailongshan and Xuefengling.
Wang He always remembers the words of his doctoral supervisor, Professor Peng Shenglin: "To practice, one must venture into the wilderness" and "Persistence in practice is crucial." "I spend about 4-5 months each year conducting fieldwork, traversing almost every corner of the Kunlun Mountains, which has laid a solid foundation for my future work," Wang He said.
He proposed the existence of a 2800-kilometer-long Lithium Metallogenic Belt of the Paleotethys Domain in the Western Kunlun-Eastern Kunlun-Western Sichuan region. Based on preliminary research, he believes there is a 600-kilometer metallogenic belt in the Karakoram, and he also suggests the existence of a 2800-kilometer-long Lithium Metallogenic Belt of the Paleotethys Domain and a new type of "LRN" (Li-Rb-Nb) lithium ore in the Western Kunlun-Eastern Kunlun-Western Sichuan region, enriching related metallogenic theories.
Reflecting on his experiences in geological exploration, Wang He is deeply moved. During a survey of the Mujikeng gold mine in Xinjiang in 2015, he received a message about the birth of his daughter three days late due to the lack of signal in the mountains. "I feel I owe my family too much for the sake of work," Wang He said. Despite the hardships and challenges he faced in his scientific research journey, he has always maintained his passion and dedication to research.
Adhering to the philosophy of "dedication, diligence, expertise, and enjoyment," he has continuously made significant contributions to the national strategic needs for mineral resources. Through the continuous discovery of more than ten deposits, including the super-large Bailongshan lithium-beryllium-rubidium mine, Karagurukou Rumu copper mine, and Kayizhi molybdenum mine, in the Western Kunlun-Karakoram region, he has produced a series of high-level research results in rare metal mineralization theory and prospecting prediction.
Wang He's team is on the Tibetan Plateau. Interviewee provided photos.
"The discovery of the Bai Long Mountain super large lithium mine is a classic case of integrating theory with practice. Its economic potential is enormous, with just the mining rights auction alone fetching 2 billion CNY. Based on the average market price of lithium carbonate in August 2023 at 245,000 CNY per ton, the potential lithium oxide resources of 5.06 million tons hold an economic value exceeding 3 trillion CNY," Wang He said.
In high-altitude regions, oxygen deficiency and cold are common threats, yet Wang He often finds himself working for long hours in such environments. When asked by reporters, "Do you regret your initial choice?" Wang He admitted that field prospecting is a tough job where overcoming difficulties and dangers is par for the course. He is willing to dedicate his life's energy to the geological cause.
During July and August 2012, Wang He's team conducted fieldwork around the Kunlun Mountains in Datong Township. It happened to coincide with the traditional "fasting month," but to their surprise, all the local eateries were closed. They survived on naan, cured meat, and water. "For over 20 days, we barely had any hot water. One early morning, a local official took us to a nomad's yurt, where we finally had a bowl of piping hot lamb offal soup. That was the best lamb offal soup I've ever had."
The working environment in the snowy highlands is fraught with danger, and Wang He has narrowly escaped death several times. In June 2023, while surveying the Muztagh Peak area of the Altun Mountains, Wang He encountered wild yaks causing traffic jams, chased by them, and encountered wild animals such as bears and wolves along the way. He and his team overcame various difficulties and finally collected samples.
Yan Qinghe, current associate professor at Yunnan University's School of Earth Sciences, has been studying under Professor Wang He since his master's enrollment in 2014. "Over the past 8 years, I've traversed uninhabited deserts, summited peaks as high as 6,100 meters, waded through bone-chilling rivers, and endured 30 consecutive days of hard naan with Professor Wang. Those are memories that will never fade," Yan Qinghe said.
"Professor Wang He is my mentor for master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral studies. He's my 'master' in life, a guiding figure in my research journey, and the person I admire the most and aspire to become," Yan Qinghe told the Chinese Science Bulletin. What he has learned from Professor Wang isn't just academic knowledge and professional skills but also principles of conduct, which will benefit him for a lifetime.
To date, Wang He has supervised 37 doctoral students and 4 master's students, with 21 master's students converting to doctoral programs. He currently has 8 doctoral students and 2 master's students, nurturing a group of talented individuals for the geological research and exploration cause of our motherland.
