Metallurgical mining industry optimization Industrial structure service "Cornerstone Plan"

The traditional metallurgical industry, as an industry with high energy consumption and high pollution, is a major emitter.

According to 2019 statistics, the carbon emissions of ferrous metal smelting and rolling processing industry account for about 40% of the entire industrial emissions, accounting for 18.92% of China's total carbon emissions.

As the front-end industry of the metallurgical industry, the metallurgical mining industry strives to reduce carbon and achieve green, low-carbon and high-quality development is also a top priority for the whole industry to act in a unified way and strive to complete.

According to the report of the third Council of the eighth session of the China Mineral Association, in 2022, China's metallurgical mining industry actively implements the iron ore resource security strategy, the "double carbon" work, the implementation of management efficiency, technological transformation, etc., the project construction is steadily advancing, the safety foundation is continuously consolidated, the comprehensive competitiveness is continuously enhanced, and the industry is running smoothly. Annual iron ore production of 968 million tons, down 1.0%; Production of iron concentrate 287 million tons, an increase of 0.5%.

In April 2023, the "Metallurgical Mining Industry carbon peak Implementation Plan" issued by the China Mineral Association proposed that during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, 40% of the "cornerstone Plan" projects were completed and put into operation, and the output of large mines accounted for more than 60%. Carbon emission intensity will be reduced by more than 5% from 2020, and all large and medium-sized mines will be covered by green mine construction, and the comprehensive utilization rate of resources will steadily increase. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, more than 90 percent of the Cornerstone projects were completed and put into operation, the output of large mines accounted for more than 70 percent, carbon emission intensity was reduced by more than 18 percent from 2020, and a green, low-carbon and comprehensive utilization industrial system was basically established. The energy consumption level of major processes of large and medium-sized mining enterprises has basically reached the advanced value of national energy consumption standards. To ensure that the metallurgical mining industry by 2030 to achieve carbon peak.

In terms of optimizing the whole-process energy consumption distribution in the metallurgical mining industry, the "Plan" proposes to establish an optimal whole-process energy consumption distribution system. At the same time, the energy consumption quota standards of industrial products will be revised, and the backward production capacity of small and medium-sized mining enterprises will be eliminated and integrated in accordance with the law and regulations. Carry out the carbon footprint assessment of upstream products of metallurgical mines, and guide enterprises to research and develop new low-carbon products. In terms of energy use structure, we will accelerate the application of clean and green energy. Promote green electricity substitution in mining enterprises. We will develop wind power, photovoltaic and other new energy projects. Promote the application of geothermal and hydrogen energy in mines. Where conditions permit, new construction, reconstruction and expansion projects, priority will be given to the use of non-fossil energy and natural gas. We will speed up energy-saving upgrading of production lines, promote the construction of an energy management system, and raise the level of energy utilization. The plan also proposes to establish a green and low-carbon standard system for the metallurgical mining industry. Establish a digital carbon management system and accelerate the process of "Internet + green and low-carbon". Track product lifecycle carbon footprint and identify carbon reduction space. In terms of technological innovation, we will accelerate research and development of new technologies and achieve new breakthroughs in low-carbon technologies. Carry out research and development of "key technologies for energy conservation and low carbon". Research on carbon capture, utilization and storage technology in underground space of mines has been actively carried out. We will eliminate backwardness and promote energy-saving and carbon-reducing technology and equipment. Promote product equipment renovation, innovation and adoption of new processes, new technologies, new products, new equipment, new materials. Increase ecological restoration in mining areas and promote natural carbon sink. Actively promote the reduction of carbon in the industrial system, and promote the development of "one mine, one policy" cleaner production transformation and upgrading plan. Improve the system to promote the level of utilization of mine solid waste resources.

Resource security is an overall and strategic issue related to national economic and social development. The realization of iron and steel power needs resource power to guarantee. The effective supply of domestic iron ore resources is the most possible, the most possible and the most achievable guarantee of iron and steel raw materials in China. To ensure the security of the industrial chain and supply chain and enhance the resilience of the supply chain, it is necessary to strengthen the domestic exploration and development of iron ore resources with greater efforts and more concrete measures, systematically improve the level of support, and consolidate the basic support capacity.

At present, the Ministry of Natural Resources has started and fully implemented a new round of prospecting breakthrough strategic action, focusing on the investigation of scarce and large-scale strategic mineral resources, strengthening the coordination of the central and local mining work deployment, and comprehensively carrying out the investigation of strategic mineral resources. At the same time, we will intensify scientific and technological research, improve the regular investigation and evaluation system for the development and utilization of mineral resources, and raise the level of economical and intensive utilization.

It is particularly noteworthy that the "Implementation Plan for carbon peak in metallurgical mining Industry" is also proposed in the key tasks to optimize the industrial structure. Build a large iron ore base and optimize the overall layout. We will accelerate the construction of 25 iron ore resource bases and the exploration and development of 28 national planned mining areas, and build a supply pattern dominated by large and medium-sized mines. The "Plan" proposes to optimize the development and utilization structure of iron ore resources on the basis of the "cornerstone plan", and accelerate the process of large-scale, intensive and green development. Cultivate large and super-large mining groups, improve the ability to ensure the supply of resources, and ensure the safety of the steel industry chain and supply chain.

It is understood that in the next step, the metallurgical mining industry will continue to deeply focus on the fundamental task of comprehensively improving the ability to guarantee resources, implement the two major development goals of effective improvement in quality and reasonable growth in quantity, strive to enhance the ability to integrate innovation, collaborative management, and market competitiveness, and strive to solve the four major pain points of industry development such as resource constraints, environmental constraints, policy constraints, and cost constraints. Strive to build an innovative, green, safe, digital and energy efficient mine, in order to provide industry support for building a solid steel industry chain supply chain resource security foundation.