China has discovered a major zircon sand deposit in Baicheng County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with resources equivalent to more than 40 large zircon deposits combined. Named the Yuhai Zirconium Deposit, it is China's first ancient fluvial-lacustrine zircon sand deposit and includes substantial hafnium reserves. The discovery is expected to strengthen China's supply security of zirconium and hafnium, key materials used in nuclear energy, aerospace, ceramics and advanced manufacturing.