Chinese companies exploit 10 million tons of mineral spring water from 4,100 mineral spring water base each year, said an official with the China Mining Association here Monday.

China is rich in spring water and Chinese people have began to see the importance of drinking mineral water during the past few years, said the official. The country now has 1,200 mineral water producing companies.

The country's mineral springs are mainly scattered in east China and north China, with nine types featuring different minerals such as zinc and iodine. Some provinces have set up conservation area to protect their springs.