As of the end of the first quarter of this year, there were 1,806 intelligent mining faces nationwide, and 907 coal mines had completed the construction of intelligent working faces. The proportion of coal mine production capacity under intelligent mining exceeded 50%, and over 16,000 fixed positions have achieved unmanned operation.

The reporter learned from the China Coal Transportation and Marketing Association that, in the first half of the year, China’s coal production maintained steady growth, while coal imports declined year-on-year, resulting in a relatively ample coal supply. Domestically, coal consumption remained generally weak, and coal stocks across society reached historically high levels, indicating a relatively relaxed coal supply-demand situation. Production trends among major coal-consuming industries diverged: coal consumption for power generation and construction materials declined year-on-year, coal consumption for steel production remained flat year-on-year, and coal consumption for the chemical industry increased year-on-year. It is expected that coal production in China will continue to grow in the third quarter, while imports may keep declining.

“As the share of new energy sources in installed capacity and power generation continues to rise, the room for growth in China’s coal demand is becoming increasingly limited, and demand volatility is steadily increasing. There is an urgent need for the supply side—including both production and imports—to proactively respond to changing trends in coal demand, refine mechanisms for flexible adjustment of coal production, scientifically regulate the pace of coal production, and promote a dynamic balance between coal supply and demand,” said a relevant official from the China Coal Transportation and Marketing Association.

Currently, the coal industry is actively promoting clean and low-carbon development by constructing and upgrading a large number of modern, intelligent coal mines, thereby driving the industry’s shift from low-end to high-end and its products’ transformation from primary fuels to high-value-added commodities. As of the end of the first quarter of this year, the country has established 1,806 intelligent mining faces, with 907 coal mines equipped with such intelligent faces. The proportion of coal mine production capacity under intelligent mining has exceeded 50%, and over 16,000 fixed positions have achieved unmanned operation. Coal chemical technologies continue to make breakthroughs, and positive progress has been made in fostering industries such as silicon carbide, graphene, coal-based specialty fuels, coal-based biodegradable materials, and high-strength fibers.