Accelerate the integrated development of next-generation information technology and manufacturing technology, and regard intelligent manufacturing as the primary focus for deepening the convergence of IT and industrialization. Concentrate on developing smart equipment and products, promote the intelligent transformation of production processes, foster new modes of production, and comprehensively enhance the intelligence level of enterprises in R&D, production, management, and service.

　　 —2015 Year, Made in China 2025 》

　　The future 5 This year, we must vigorously promote scientific and technological innovation in the mining sector, accelerate the construction of digital, intelligent, information-based, and automated mines, and vigorously develop the “Internet”... + Mining.

　　 —2016 Year, National Mineral Resources Plan ( 2016-2020 Year)》

　　What do you sense from these two pieces of information, which serve as wind vanes? The construction of smart mines has now come right up to our doorstep. While many mining enterprises still haven’t shaken off their outdated labels—such as cumbersome, obsolete, and dangerous—smart technology has arrived, confidently and warmly smiling at Chinese mining companies with a simple “Hello!”

　　What exactly is intelligent mine construction? Simply put, with the advancement of digital and information technologies, we no longer need to mine in the same way we did in the past, nor can we manage mining enterprises as crudely and straightforwardly as before. The core of competition in the mining industry has gradually shifted from traditional competition based on resource advantages to highly information-driven and integrated technological competition—and that’s precisely what intelligent mine construction is all about.

　　The construction of intelligent mines enables the intelligent representation of various objects and phenomena associated with mining activities, and integrates these representations into management and decision-making processes across all stages, thereby achieving intelligent decision-making and control for each process and stage in mining operations. This significantly enhances the management level of mine production and operations, boosts resource output and quality, frees up labor in mining operations, effectively ensures worker safety, further strengthens the core competitiveness of mines, and elevates corporate image. Therefore, accelerating the intelligent development of domestic mines—especially new mines—holds great and far-reaching significance for upgrading China’s mining technology level and driving advancements in mining technology.

　　Rather than viewing the construction of intelligent mines as a mere act or action, it’s more accurate to see it as a phased process—a composite of multiple stages of technological innovation, each of which progressively refines and perfects the overall technical system. Do you think that once you’ve established the basic conditions for intelligence—equipped with smart devices and trained operators—you’ve automatically become an intelligent mining enterprise? Sorry, that’s a misconception. To fully harness the potential of intelligence, you’ll also need to build a corresponding, highly efficient management framework. Currently, some mining enterprises have introduced numerous advanced software and hardware systems, yet their management practices still largely rely on traditional methods, placing excessive emphasis on “responsibility systems” and leaving them in a “passive” state. Their approach mainly involves reactive responses to incidents such as accidents and malfunctions—a relatively delayed response mechanism that fails to achieve systematic prevention through effective management. An intelligent mine demands that managers be able to efficiently coordinate and integrate all aspects related to production and safety, including mine personnel, materials, and equipment. On the basis of rational resource allocation, they must ensure that each system module can function at its maximum potential.

　　Having intelligent equipment alone without refined management practices is like possessing a diamond drill but not knowing how to use it effectively for delicate porcelain work. Mining enterprise management is an immensely large and complex undertaking. It not only involves managing the operation and development of the enterprise itself, but also encompasses the management of coal mining operations, mining equipment and machinery, as well as personnel. The management tasks involved are intricate and diverse, generating an enormous volume of information and potentially giving rise to a wide array of challenges. Under the current circumstances, if mining enterprises are to truly achieve sustainable and stable development, they must adopt refined management practices, making scientific use of resource allocation, management, and control to drive and enhance their overall management level, thereby gradually realizing the construction of smart mines.

　　Currently, in China’s mining industry, informationization and intelligentization of production cover only a very small portion, and the prevailing development model remains significantly backward. Chinese mining enterprises need intelligence, technology, and innovation—and even more importantly, they need to strengthen their own management capabilities. With the country’s growing emphasis on and support for digital transformation, the adoption rate of digital design tools and the CNC rate of key process flows have both improved to some extent among certain large and medium-sized mining enterprises in China. Moreover, awareness of refined management within mining enterprises is steadily increasing, and their level of智能化 (intelligentization) is continuously improving.

　　Shougang has established a four-tier vertical structure—digitalization of foundational equipment, digitalization of production processes, digitalization of production execution, and digitalization of enterprise resource planning—and a four-horizontal-block framework—applications. GIS Geographic Information System, MES Manufacturing Execution System, ERP Enterprise Resource Management System, OA The digital mine overall framework for information systems has significantly enhanced the informatization and intelligentization of mining and ore dressing operations.

　　Shanxi Lu'an Mining ( Group ) A “based on” independently developed by the limited liability company. 3G An integrated application platform for intelligent mining based on wireless technology, leveraging today’s advanced... 3G Wireless communication technology, leveraging mobile phones as the transmission medium, enables real-time reception of data from various systems—including security monitoring systems, personnel positioning systems, integrated automation systems, and coal mine office management systems. This facilitates real-time monitoring of underground mine environmental and equipment conditions, significantly enhancing mine safety management and reducing production costs.

　　Ansteel Mining has integrated information technology, digitalization, manufacturing technologies, and enterprise management to create a new, large-scale enterprise operating model that encompasses basic control, production process control, and enterprise operational process control. By deeply integrating advanced information technologies—such as IoT technology, big data technology, intelligent management, and intelligent control—with the mining production process, Ansteel Mining has developed three major systems: smart human-centered management, smart production execution, and smart equipment management. This enables real-time, cross-regional control and continuous improvement across the entire enterprise operation lifecycle.

　　Henan Faden Mining has implemented the “Everything Transparent Enterprise Blog” system, eliminating the shortcomings of hierarchical, delayed, and passive information transmission. As a result, mining enterprises now enjoy real-time, continuous monitoring. This has effectively improved enterprise management, achieved comprehensive mine management with no blind spots, boosted employee motivation, and enhanced company performance. The average grade of mined ore has increased significantly. 15%~20% , the silver grade remains at 300 Ker / Tons were reduced, the dilution rate was lowered, and no fatal accidents occurred in safe production; minor injury incidents were significantly reduced, earning recognition from both provincial and local safety supervision authorities.

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　　The construction of intelligent mines is not something that can be achieved overnight. It is hoped that Chinese mining enterprises will clearly define their positioning, gain a deep understanding of themselves, and start by implementing refined management within their own organizations. By identifying enterprise management systems that are tailored to their specific characteristics and truly effective, they can go further and further down the path of digitalization and become ever stronger on the road to development.