This year marks the beginning of the "14th Five-Year Plan" and the start of a new journey towards building a modern socialist country. Therefore, this year's Two Sessions are particularly special. As the foundation and guarantee for national economic development, the mining industry, known as the "grain and blood of industry," should receive attention and emphasis, especially regarding how to promote high-quality development in the mining sector during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, which should become a focal point. At the Two Sessions, the mining industry received high attention and strong calls, with technological innovation, industrial transformation, and talent cultivation becoming the focus of representatives and committee members.
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Technological innovation, focusing on comprehensive resource utilization
Increase the efficient comprehensive utilization of mining tailings resources. Li Pengde, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and deputy director of the China Geological Survey of the Ministry of Natural Resources, believes that most tailings ponds have valuable component content close to or above the boundary grade, making them highly usable and economically valuable. First, from the perspective of national resource security, the demand for strategic mineral resources in tailings is increasing. Second, the construction of an ecological civilization has raised new demands for the comprehensive utilization of mining tailings. Third, the comprehensive utilization of tailings provides support services for the reform of mineral resources. By conducting investigations and evaluations of the spatial distribution, volume, toxic and harmful conditions, and comprehensive utilization rates of tailings ponds, effective support can be provided for land space planning, ecological environment restoration, and mineral resource protection.
Therefore, he suggested in his proposal: First, to study and formulate the "Regulations on the Comprehensive Utilization of Mining Tailings." Based on the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste," develop supporting implementation plans, refine the responsibilities of management departments for tailings resource utilization and corporate responsibilities, and make good use of tailings from the perspective of comprehensive resource utilization. Second, to conduct a nationwide survey of tailings pond rights. Led by the Ministry of Natural Resources, establish a coordination mechanism with relevant departments such as the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Emergency Management to carry out a special action for the comprehensive investigation of tailings resources, providing support for rights registration. Third, to establish a special technology research project for the comprehensive utilization of tailings. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology should set up special projects, organize the research and development of technology and equipment, and carry out common technology research for the comprehensive utilization of mining tailings to maximize resource utilization. Fourth, to formulate financial policies for green mining. Establish a green mining fund or set up a special fund within the national green development fund; at the same time, provide positive incentive measures such as tax reductions for tailings reuse enterprises and green credit to promote ecological restoration of mines and quickly reduce tailings stock. Fifth, to actively carry out international cooperation in the comprehensive utilization of tailings resources.
Enhance the development and utilization level of abandoned gold mine resources. Yuan Liang, a representative of the National People's Congress, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and president of Anhui University of Science and Technology, stated that there are rich resources in abandoned mines, which are also important hosts for geological carbon dioxide storage. The development and utilization of abandoned gold mines is an important component of energy resource development and utilization in abandoned mines. He believes that the development and utilization of abandoned gold mine resources should be promoted from three aspects: First, accelerate the construction of technological innovation capabilities, increase investment in scientific research for the development and utilization of abandoned gold mine resources, strengthen the construction of high-level technological innovation platforms, carry out basic research and joint tackling of key technologies, and explore frontier technologies such as carbon dioxide storage in advance to better play the key supporting role of technological innovation.
Second, improve the development and utilization level of abandoned gold mine resources. Cultivate new business formats and models around the development and utilization of abandoned gold mines, and promote the development of tailings and associated mineral resource development, pumped storage, and compressed air energy storage according to the characteristics of remaining resource endowments of abandoned gold mine resources. Support geological carbon dioxide storage, encourage afforestation to restore ecology, develop carbon sinks, and enhance the ecological functions of abandoned gold mines. Third, improve the governance system for the development and utilization of abandoned gold mine resources. Leverage institutional advantages, incorporate the development and utilization of abandoned gold mine resources into industry planning, strengthen strategic guidance and policy orientation, increase funding projects and fiscal support, carry out demonstration project construction, enhance the intensive and economical utilization level of resources, improve and perfect the governance system, and fully release the potential for the development and utilization of abandoned gold mine resources.
Focus on improving the comprehensive utilization level of resources. Zhang Yongli, a representative of the National People's Congress and secretary of the party committee and chairman of Western Mining Group, expressed hope that the state would introduce more encouraging policies to encourage large mining enterprises to cooperate with research institutes, increase research and development efforts, and enhance the automation and intelligence level of mining equipment; at the same time, actively encourage mining enterprises to implement filling mining and increase research and development of comprehensive utilization technology for low-grade and difficult-to-select resources to solve technical problems in mining and selection.
Technological upgrades, promoting the construction of smart mines
Rely closely on the advantages of 5G construction. Ge Honglin, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and secretary of the party committee of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, stated that from the current level of intelligent development of China's nonferrous mining industry, the gap with international advanced levels is gradually narrowing. He suggested that the nonferrous metal mining industry should closely rely on China's 5G construction advantages, using the characteristics of large bandwidth, wide connectivity, and low latency to transform and develop towards less human and unmanned operations, further improving mining production efficiency and safety levels.
Strengthen key technology research. Wei Zhen, a representative of the National People's Congress, a professor at Hefei University of Technology, and chairman of Hefei University of Technology High-Tech Information Technology Co., Ltd., stated that the key technologies and equipment research and development for intelligent mines in China are not yet fully mature. As the depth and intensity of mining continue to increase, it is urgent to rely on technological progress to resolve safety risks. He suggested: First, to include major scientific research and key technology research for intelligent mines into the national major science and technology plan, encouraging a focus on the world's technological frontier, strengthening independent innovation, and establishing an integrated technology innovation system of industry, academia, and research; second, to give policy priority support to intelligent demonstration mines and enterprises engaged in key technology research for intelligent mining equipment, and provide financial support to enterprises that actively promote the application of underground intelligent equipment; third, to promote the establishment of special insurance, allowing for a certain degree of error tolerance, to alleviate the concerns of enterprises applying "intelligent and less human" solutions.
Enhance the application ecology of 5G technology. Jiang Haoran, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and secretary of the party committee and chairman of Hengyin Financial Technology Co., Ltd., believes that the application of 5G technology is not just a matter of network construction, but should be seen as an ecological enhancement. It is necessary to study and formulate standards for 5G equipment and industrial modules that meet the safety operation requirements of coal mines, strengthen the interconnection of upstream and downstream enterprises, and further collaborate in technology research and development, supply chain transformation, infrastructure construction, intelligent terminal applications, and even commercial operation models.
Industrial transformation, promoting green and low-carbon development
Increase support for the geothermal industry. Liu Baozeng, a representative of the National People's Congress and secretary of the party committee of the China Petroleum Engineering Technology Research Institute, suggested increasing support for the geothermal industry, optimizing the energy supply structure, and developing a green energy strategy. Relevant national departments should increase research and development spending, encourage related enterprises to increase the development and application of geothermal resources, enhance the intensity of technological research and development and financial support, and provide key support for the efficient development and utilization of hot dry rock geothermal energy, accelerate technological research and development and industrial layout, and create a favorable industrial policy and environment to provide strong guarantees for the efficient development of geothermal resources.
Use policy levers to promote the geothermal power generation industry. Li Ziying, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the Beijing Institute of Geology for Nuclear Industry, proposed three suggestions: First, to accelerate the research and introduction of geothermal grid connection electricity price policies. Referencing the early electricity price policies for renewable energy such as wind and solar, implement geothermal power generation at the same grid price as wind and solar in Tibet. Second, to strengthen investment in geothermal resource exploration. Increase central financial investment and enhance the intensity and precision of geothermal resource exploration. Third, to carry out tax reductions and exemptions for geothermal mineral resources.
Develop low-carbon technologies and formulate a low-carbon emission reduction roadmap. He Wenbo, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Party Secretary and Executive Chairman of the China Iron and Steel Industry Association, stated that steel enterprises should understand their carbon emission "baseline," develop a low-carbon emission reduction roadmap that suits their actual situation, actively pay attention to and apply the latest low-carbon emission reduction technologies, and prepare in advance to participate in carbon emission market trading.
To this end, Hou Jun, a representative of the National People's Congress and Party Secretary and Chairman of Shandong Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd., suggested: first, reasonably control production capacity and accelerate structural optimization, which is beneficial for the high-quality development of the industry; second, focus on maintaining policy continuity, and related policies should not shift too abruptly; third, adhere to classified policies to achieve survival of the fittest; fourth, vigorously promote mergers and reorganizations in the steel industry to enhance the concentration and industrial agglomeration development level of the steel industry, avoiding homogeneous competition. National People's Congress representative Yuan Weixia suggested that on one hand, accelerate the promotion of the steel industry to improve production processes, update production equipment, and use low-carbon energy to quickly achieve low-carbon transformation of the steel industry and energy structure; on the other hand, steel enterprises should leverage national industry strength to carry out original innovation research, developing deep decarbonization and zero-carbon technologies.
Promote the green low-carbon circular development of the aluminum industry. Yu Dehui, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, believes that to accelerate the high-quality development of the aluminum industry's green low-carbon circular economy, first, a special action plan for carbon peaking should be formulated; second, total emissions should be strictly controlled; third, the proportion of clean energy use should be increased; fourth, low-carbon technology innovation should be promoted; fifth, support for the development of the recycled aluminum industry should be strengthened; sixth, carbon emission rights market trading should be well managed.
Accelerate the development of the hydrogen energy industry. Ma Yongsheng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of Sinopec, suggested that efforts should be made to promote the development of the hydrogen energy industry in terms of top-level design, core technology breakthroughs, standard system formulation, and industrial policy support to ensure national energy security. The principle of green hydrogen should be adhered to, focusing on joint efforts in research and development across the entire hydrogen energy industry chain, quickly catching up with international advanced levels, and strengthening the formulation of standard systems. A complete and advanced set of hydrogen energy standards for the entire industry chain should be established, providing policy support to facilitate industrial development, clarifying standards for financial, tax, and other policy support, and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Keep pace with the times and cultivate new types of specialized talents.
Promote skill level certification. He Wenbo suggested: First, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security should quickly formulate and issue specific procedures and work requirements for the local filing of national unified vocational skill level certification pilot branch institutions, ensuring a unified approach nationwide, rather than allowing each to act independently. Second, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security should urge local human resources and social security departments to quickly handle local filing procedures according to unified requirements. Third, in accordance with the State Council's promotion of "delegating power, streamlining administration, and improving services" and vocational qualification reform requirements, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security should clarify the position and role of industry associations in vocational skill level certification work.
Cultivate new types of "digital talents." Li Dongyan, Director of Development Planning and Discipline Construction at Henan Polytechnic University, stated: "The construction of smart mines is an inevitable direction for the future development of mines, and the construction of smart mines requires new types of 'digital talents' who master new generation information technologies such as industrial internet, blockchain, and new infrastructure, to improve mining production efficiency, enhance safety control capabilities, and achieve high-quality development. During the '14th Five-Year Plan' period, mining enterprises will continue to deepen supply-side structural reforms, using advanced technologies such as big data, cloud computing, and blockchain to lead production, processing, storage and transportation, consumption, and ecological environment governance in mining areas, building a modern mining economic system. The system architecture, basic network, cloud data center, integrated basic systems, handheld mining platforms, 'one mine one map' smart platforms, big data analysis platforms, and other information systems' general technical requirements all need 'digital talents.'"
At the same time, she believes that as an important base for talent cultivation, industry universities should seize major strategic opportunities, leverage their own unique advantages, and focus on curriculum adjustments to provide strong talent support for the construction of smart mines.
Integrate industry and education to jointly build talent cultivation bases. Wei Zhen, a representative of the National People's Congress, professor at Hefei University of Technology, and Chairman of Hefei University of Technology High-Tech Information Technology Co., Ltd., believes that it is necessary to accelerate the cultivation of talents related to artificial intelligence, 5G, industrial internet, big data, and cloud computing related to "intelligent and less human" mining, providing core power for the development of intelligent mines. On one hand, it is necessary to build professional infrastructure to provide hardware platforms for introducing and cultivating high-level professional talents. On the other hand, it is possible to promote cooperation and co-construction models between mining vocational colleges and research and development companies, from education in intelligent and less human technology to industrial application operations, jointly establishing talent cultivation bases to supply talents for intelligent mines.
Website editor: Gong Li
