Inner Mongolia has a vast territory, favorable metallogenic geological conditions, and abundant mineral resources. Its central and western areas are rich in copper, lead, zinc, iron, and rare earth elements. The central and southern areas are abundant in gold deposits. The eastern area is rich in silver, lead-zinc, copper, tin, and rare metal elements. Energy mineral resources are distributed across all 12 leagues and prefecture-level cities, mainly concentrated in the Ordos Basin, the Erlian Basin, and the Hailar Basin.

By the end of 2023, a total of 149 mineral types with identified resource reserves had been discovered in Inner Mongolia, of which 141 are listed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Mineral Resources Reserves Table. The retained reserves of 115 mineral types rank among the top 10 nationwide, including 57 mineral types ranking among the top three. Inner Mongolia ranks first in China in retained reserves of 20 minerals, including coal, lead, zinc, silver, and rare earth elements.