Resources

The province boasts more than 100 kinds of proven mineral resources. Reserves of lead, zinc and german- ium rank first in China; tin second, copper , platinum and nickel third, and antimony, mercury , silver and bismuth fourth. The province is one of the five largest phosphorus ore producers . There are sizeable reserves of rock salt. Resources of quartz sand and gaoling clay are abundant. Forests cover more than 9.5 million hectares, accounting for 24 per cent of the country's total area and there are many rare species of plants and trees. Yunnan is also an important base for aromatic plants and flora with more than 300 varieties of essential oil- bearing plants and 2,500 kinds of ornamental plants and flowers.