Beijing - China will launch a five-month nationwide crackdown on illegal mining of rare earth starting next month in a major bid to protect its valuable resources.

Wang Min, vice-minister of land and resources, said at a video conference on Thursday that the ministry will set up a long-term supervision system to better regulate the rare earth mining market.

Precious metal mines like rare earth, tungsten, antimony, alumina clay and fluorite will all be targeted in the campaign, Wang said.