China discovers new mineral in rare earth mine

The China Geological Survey of the Ministry of Natural Resources has revealed the discovery of a new mineral in a rare earth mine in Taiping town, Nanyang city, Henan province, the ministry announced on Friday.

The mineral has been approved by the International Mineralogical Association and is named Ni Pei Stone in honor of Professor Ni Pei, a prominent Chinese geologist.

Ni Pei Stone is a cerium-containing mineral with color ranging from light red to reddish-brown. It holds the record for the highest cerium content among silicate minerals discovered in nature.