Changsha, capital of Hunan province, hosted Asia’s largest mineral-themed exhibition from May 15 to 20. The China (Changsha) Mineral and Gem Show offered 2,000 booths on a floor space of 65,000 square meters for exhibitors to showcase minerals, fossils, meteorites and handicrafts. Hunan has 22 world-class geological parks. It has reserves of non-ferrous metals that account for two thirds of the country’s total and one third of the world’s total. The province also discovered more than 90% of the world’s antimony deposits. Hunan is home to 141 types of minerals with diverse colors and unique shapes, including some rare and iconic species. The expo attracted huge attention at its first session last year because “collectors and exhibitors across the world have fully recognized the value of Hunan mineral resources and see the profit potential in Chinese markets,” industry insiders said. 1,200 exhibitors from 54 countries and regions and 150,000 visitors attended the exhibition in 2013, where CNY1 billion worth of deals were signed.