History of Golmud

Scientific exploration of the mineral resources of Qarhan were undertaken in the 1950s, leading to the discovery of the area’s potash and gas fields. Systematic surveying was undertaken in the 1960s and 1970s, with the railway permitting industrial exploitation from the 1980s. The first oil pipeline and potassium fertilizer factory were opened in 1989. The 28 km2 (11 sq mi) Golmud Kunlun Economic Development Zone was opened in 1992. In 2004, a second pipeline arrived. In the 2010s, an influx of further investment followed realization of the importance of the Sanhu’s supplies of lithium and rare earths for modern personal electronics and electric cars.

Source From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golmud#History