China has decided to launch a campaign to regulate its mineral resource prospecting and tapping market to ensure higher production safety and sustainable economic and social development.

According to a statement of the State Council meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday, massive irregularities and illegality such as prospecting without licenses and reckless tapping exist in certain areas.

All aspects of prospecting will now be more closely monitored.

The meeting approved a regulation plan after hearing a report on rectifying and regulating mineral resource prospecting by the Ministry of Land and Resources.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2005)