The new infrastructure helps the mine upgrade, and the era of smart mines has arrived

First, smart mine is the future development trend

1.1 What is a smart mine?

Smart mine refers to a complete intelligent system based on the modern intelligent concept of coal mine, which deeply integrates the Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, automatic control, industrial Internet, robotized equipment, etc., with modern mining development technologies to form a comprehensive mine perception, real-time interconnection, analysis and decision-making, self-learning, dynamic prediction, and collaborative control. Realize the intelligent operation of the whole process of mine development, mining, transportation, sorting, safety protection, ecological protection, production management, etc.

Generally speaking, smart mines and traditional coal mines are like smart phones and ordinary mobile phones, smart cars (driverless) and traditional cars. Take unmanned driving as an example, it can be realized through "map + planning + prediction" combined with "big data platform + artificial intelligence", and intelligent driving can be realized through "control + positioning" combined with "machine learning + simulation training". Smart coal mine is also the development and application of various new technologies on the basis of existing coal mines, and the continuous development and improvement of new concepts to achieve intelligent coal mines.

How to develop ordinary coal mines into smart coal mines, one is the need for intelligent system base stations, remote control platforms and other infrastructure; Second, the need for intelligent transformation or purchase of equipment such as coal machines; The third is the need for interactive information platform, data analysis system platform and other software and hardware construction; Fourth, it is necessary to connect and integrate each sub-control system and control technology, such as fully mechanized mining subsystem, integrated mining subsystem, safety subsystem, lifting subsystem, etc., to form an intelligent complete set of control system for the entire mine.

1.2 The development of smart mines in developed countries is relatively early

Western developed countries from the 1990s began to study intelligent mining technology, especially Canada, the United States and other countries, in order to obtain a competitive advantage in the mining industry, has developed the "intelligent mine" and "unmanned mine" development plans.

The Canadian International Nickel company began to study automatic mining technology in the early 1990s, and plans to realize unmanned mining in a mine in 2050, and realize mechanical automatic mining through satellite control of all equipment in the mine. In 1999, the United States carried out research on automatic positioning and navigation technology of underground coal mine, and obtained commercial research results. In 2008, Rio Tinto Group launched the "future mine" plan, deploying driverless trucks, driverless trains, automatic drilling RIGS, automatic excavators and bulldozers around the computer control center. At the end of 2018, Rio Tinto approved an investment of $2.6 billion to build the first pure "smart mine" project in Western Australia. In 2018, Anglo American launched the "Smart Mine of the Future" program.

1.3 Coal mine development experience mechanization - automation - intelligence

(1) The degree of mechanization in coal mines is increasing year by year

China from the introduction of fully mechanized mining equipment in the 1970s, the implementation of comprehensive mechanized mining in the 1980s, to the development of large-scale coal mine machinery and equipment, to achieve the localization of coal machinery and equipment, coal machinery and equipment manufacturing in the world's leading ranks. Coal machine mainly includes boring machine, shearer, scraper transport, hydraulic support and so on. By 2018, the mechanization level of coal mining in China had reached 78.5 percent, a significant increase from 32.3 percent in 1978.

High reliability mining equipment is the basic guarantee for realizing automatic and intelligent mining of working face. Since the "eleventh Five-Year Plan", the rapid development of domestic large coal machine installation, overcome a series of constraints on the development of coal machine equipment technical bottlenecks, gradually established a complete set of mining, mining, transport, support equipment, successfully developed a complete set of serialized domestic coal machine equipment, the total installed power of shearer reached nearly 3000kW, cutting power reached 1150kW, The cutting height breaks through 8.8m, and the production capacity reaches 4500t/h, reaching the world's leading level.

(2) Coal mining automation is gradually upgraded

In order to meet the technical requirements of coal mining, it is necessary to use electrical automation control technology to improve the performance of the shearer, and gradually form a drum shearer with higher automation control degree from the traditional mechanical shearer. With the continuous update of electrical automation technology, in the control of mechanical equipment, electro-hydraulic control technology continues to develop. Coal mining automation technology has been widely used in coal mining enterprises, which can not only improve the production efficiency of coal enterprises, but also reduce labor costs.

(3) Coal mine intelligence is a gradual process

Smart coal mine gradually develops from a single system intelligence to a multi-system intelligence direction, and establishes a basic operating framework of "perception → interconnection → analysis → self-learning → pre-detection → decision-making → control", and initially forms a smart mine with spatial digitization, information integration, equipment interconnection, virtual-real integration and control network. With the support of big data technology, the intelligent management and control platform can analyze the operation status of the entire mine and upload it to the cloud platform through the Internet, but it needs to further break core technologies such as data structure optimization and distributed computing to truly achieve cloud computing and achieve production decision-making and management services.

1.4 New infrastructure will help smart mines

The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting on March 4 to speed up the construction of new infrastructure such as 5G networks and data centers. Subsequently, governments around the country launched massive new infrastructure investment plans. It can be predicted that the construction of new infrastructure represented by 5G networks, artificial intelligence, industrial Internet, and big data centers will significantly accelerate and become a new driving force for China's new round of economic growth.

We believe that the acceleration of new infrastructure development will promote the accelerated transformation and upgrading of China's coal industry and provide good opportunities for the intelligent development of the coal industry. The industrial Internet, big data centers, 5G base station construction, and artificial intelligence mentioned in the new infrastructure will greatly enhance the intelligent level of the coal industry.

1.5 Smart mines have broad prospects for development

The "Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Intelligent Development of Coal Mines" proposed that by 2035, all types of coal mines will basically achieve intelligence, build a multi-industry chain, multi-system integration of coal mine intelligence system, and build a smart sensing, intelligent decision-making, automatic execution of coal mine intelligence system. At present, intelligent coal mining is still in the demonstration stage, suitable for better working conditions, with the improvement of the technical level, the next 10-20 years or will be widely used.

According to the intelligent transformation practice of Pingmei Group, the investment of a single coal mine is about 200 million yuan, and the proportion of the entire investment is divided into three parts: infrastructure accounted for 10%, integrated platform accounted for 10%, scraper, transportation and other equipment investment accounted for 80%. At present, the number of coal mines in the country is more than 5,000, and the overall investment scale will reach one trillion yuan, of which the smart equipment market is about 800 billion, and the intelligence-related infrastructure and integrated platform market is about 200 billion.

The investment of 1 billion yuan in a new 10 million ton coal mine: in addition to the intelligent transformation of the existing coal mine, the new coal mine can realize the integration of top-level design, construction, construction and operation and maintenance, and solve the related problems that may be encountered by the smart mine to the greatest extent from the beginning, and realize the intelligent mining more thoroughly. In April 2020, the mining and design Division of Tiandi Science and Technology will cooperate with Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Palasu Coal Industry Co., Ltd. to build a new intelligent demonstration coal mine (10 million ton mine), the project research, design and part of the system construction funds of nearly 50 million yuan, the mine later supporting intelligent system construction total investment of 1 billion yuan.

Smart mines can be applied to non-coal mines, smart cities and other fields. In terms of non-coal mining mountains, there are more than 30,000 in the country, and the risk degree of non-coal mining mountains is no less than that of coal mines, and intelligent development has greater demand. In terms of smart cities, Tiandi Technology Chongqing Research Institute has applied the smart security monitoring system to the field of smart cities.

Second, the policy strongly supports the development of smart mines

2.1 Smart mine has been included in the key support direction

Intelligent coal mining is one of the key energy technology innovation directions supported by the state. On June 1, 2016, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration issued the "Energy Technology Revolution and Innovation Action Plan (2016-2030)" action plan, which clarified 15 key tasks for energy technology innovation: First, technological innovation for harmless coal mining. By 2030, intelligent mining will be realized, key coal mining areas will basically realize unmanned working faces, and the mechanization level of coal mining in coal mines across the country will reach more than 95%.

By the end of 2019, intelligent mining has been tested and produced in major coal producing areas in China, and has been applied in more than 200 working faces in Yankuang, Shendong, Ningmei, Zhongmei, Shaanxi Coal, Tongmei, Yangmei, Pingmei, Jinmei, Fengfeng and other mining areas. The intelligent mining technology of Tiandi technology is applied to the first intelligent coal mine in China, and the intelligent system of fully mechanized mining equipment developed for the first time is promoted and applied in Huangling No. 1 Mine, which realizes the "working face patrol and unmanned operation; Visual control along the channel, remote coal cutting on the ground "; The number of production workers on the working face decreased from 11 to 3, and the production efficiency increased by 25%. In 2019, the State Coal Administration issued the "Catalogue of Key Research and Development of Coal mine Robots", which clearly will vigorously promote the less humanized and unmanned coal mine field operations.

2.2 Eight ministries and commissions issued policies to indicate the direction of the industry

On March 2, 2020, eight ministries and commissions including the National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Intelligent Development of Coal Mines" (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions") to promote the integrated development of intelligent technology and the coal industry and improve the intelligent level of coal mines. "Opinions" proposed to encourage financial institutions to increase support for intelligent coal mines. Encourage enterprises to initiate the establishment of relevant market-oriented funds to form a long-term mechanism to support the intelligent development of coal mines.

(1) The implementation of the Opinions is divided into three stages

The "Opinions" proposed that by 2021, a variety of types and different models of intelligent demonstration coal mines will be built, and a technical system of information transmission and automated operation for major links such as coal mine development and design, geological support, production and safety will be initially formed. Basically realize the reduction of workers and improvement of efficiency in the driving face, less human or unmanned operation in the fully mechanized mining face, unattended and remote monitoring of fixed posts in underground and open-pit coal mines. By 2025, large coal mines and coal mines with severe disasters will basically realize intelligence, form a technical specification and standard system for intelligent coal mine construction, realize intelligent decision-making and automated collaborative operation of systems such as development design, geological support, mining (stripping), transportation, ventilation, washing and logistics, and robot operation of key underground positions. Open pit coal mines realize intelligent continuous operation and unmanned transportation. By 2035, all kinds of coal mines will basically realize intelligent energy, build a multi-industry chain and multi-system integrated intelligent coal mine system, and build an intelligent coal mine system with intelligent perception, intelligent decision-making and automatic execution.

(2) The Opinions put forward ten major tasks

Including strengthening top-level design, scientific planning of intelligent construction of coal mine; Strengthen the guidance of standards, improve the basic ability of coal mine intelligence; Promote scientific and technological innovation, improve the level of intelligent technology and equipment; Accelerate the intelligent transformation of production coal mines and improve the intelligent level of new coal mines; Play the role of demonstration and drive, build intelligent demonstration coal mine; Implement the construction of green mine and promote the coordinated development of ecological environment; Promote the application of new generation information technology, and build intelligent platforms at different levels; Explore new service models and continue to extend the industrial chain; Speed up the training of talents and improve the ability of personnel support; We will strengthen international cooperation and actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

(3) The "Opinions" proposed deep integration with modern information technology

The "Opinions" proposed that all departments should speed up the construction of smart factories and digital workshops, promote the research and development and industrial application of large coal machine equipment and coal mine robots, implement special actions of mechanized replacement and automation reduction, and improve the integration and localization level of intelligent equipment. It is necessary to accelerate the promotion and application of modern information technologies such as industrial Internet and Internet of vehicles, new generation communication technologies, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality in the coal industry. It is necessary to build a new industry of research and development and manufacturing of coal mine intelligent equipment and coal mine robots, and build an influential intelligent equipment and robot industrial base.

(4) Encourage financial institutions to increase support for intelligent coal mines

We will increase policy support and establish a long-term mechanism for intelligent development. For the intelligent demonstration coal mines that have passed the acceptance, priority support will be given to capacity replacement and mine capacity nuclear increase. In the investment arrangement of the central budget for coal mine safety transformation, key support will be given to coal mines that actively promote the application of underground intelligent equipment, robot job replacement, and promote coal mining to reduce personnel and improve efficiency. New intelligent coal mines will be given priority in planning and annual plans. The intelligent transformation related to coal mines will be included in the scope of coal mine safety technology transformation, and the relevant investment will be explored and studied in the scope of the use of safety expenses. Research on relevant industrial support policies and encourage financial institutions to increase support for intelligent coal mines. Encourage enterprises to initiate the establishment of relevant market-oriented funds to form a long-term mechanism to support the intelligent development of coal mines.

2.3 Key provinces have introduced policies to support intelligent mining

China's central and eastern regions of coal mining for a long time, Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Guizhou and other provinces due to the mining depth continues to move down, safety investment is getting higher and higher, have developed intelligent coal mining.

(1) Shanxi

The Shanxi Energy Revolution comprehensive reform pilot mobilization and deployment conference proposed to change the coal mining method and move forward to the green and intelligent era. Shanxi will carry out coal mine intelligent transformation pilot and green mining technology pilot demonstration, intelligent transformation into coal mine safety technology transformation, related investment included in the scope of safety costs, the purchase and use of qualified coal clean and efficient development equipment credit enterprise income tax and other policies, increase financial support, effectively solve the problem of green intelligent mine construction investment. We will vigorously promote the intelligent transformation of coal mines, promote the construction of smart coal mines with 5G communication and advanced control technology as the traction, vigorously implement green mining technologies such as coal filling mining, water conservation mining, coal and gas co-mining, and realize the reform of "no (less) humanization and loss reduction" in coal mining.

China Coal Science and Shanxi Comprehensive Reform Demonstration zone signed the smart mine Innovation base project: On March 2, 2020, China Coal Science and Shanxi signed the "National smart Mine Innovation Base (Phase I) demonstration production line construction project", plans to build the smart mine electro-hydraulic control system and safety monitoring system demonstration production line, is expected to complete the first phase of construction within the year. Smart Mine Co., LTD., as a platform company to build a "national smart mine innovation base", is accelerating, will integrate global resources, innovate the system and mechanism, increase investment and research and development efforts, create a smart coal mine ecosystem, and develop industrial clusters in Shanxi.

"Notice on the Pilot construction of intelligent Coal mines and intelligent fully mechanized mining faces in Shanxi Province" : requires all construction pilots to take active measures, increase efforts to build smart coal mines and intelligent fully mechanized mining faces as soon as possible, and demonstrate the improvement of the overall quality and efficiency of the coal industry chain.

(2) Henan

In 2019, Henan fully launched the intelligent construction of coal mines to promote the transformation and upgrading of the coal industry as the main line, apply advanced equipment and technology, accelerate the technological change of coal production, comprehensively improve the intelligent level of coal mines, achieve the production process less humanized and unmanned, and strive to achieve the basic intelligent transformation of 600,000-ton and above coal mines by the end of 2021. Mechanized production has been fully realized in coal mines below 600,000 tons.