Bayan Obo, the world's largest known rare earth deposit in northern China could hold far more resources than current estimates suggest, according to a study by a leading Chinese geologist.

But potential resources at massive Bayan Obo mine in Inner Mongolia do not automatically translate into economically recoverable reserves.

Bayan Obo, the world's largest known rare earth deposit in northern China could hold far more resources than current estimates suggest, according to a study by a leading Chinese…