◎ Wu Qihua
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources and other nine departments recently issued the "Work Plan for the Digital Transformation of the Raw Material Industry (2024-2026)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan") to deploy the digital transformation of the raw material industry, among which the construction of intelligent mines is listed.
Among the main tasks, the plan proposes to carry out intranet transformation, accelerate the wide coverage of new network communication technologies such as 5G, industrial optical network, Wi-Fi6, industrial Ethernet, and Beidou navigation in workshops, factories, and mines, and open up "data islands" in different links such as R&D, production, management, and service, so as to improve the level of internal business data integration and collaboration of enterprises. Facing the whole process of resource exploration, mining and beneficiation, ore transportation, business decision-making, etc., we will build a number of intelligent mines with digital resource management, intelligent production control, unmanned production process, and integrated safety management.
In the "Implementation Guide for the Digital Transformation of the Iron and Steel Industry" and the "Implementation Guide for the Digital Transformation of the Non-ferrous Metals Industry" listed in the annex, the "Plan" deploys the construction of the standard system and digital transformation of mining and selection.
Iron and steel industry: Focusing on the digital transformation needs of production processes such as mining and selection, accelerate the formulation and introduction of a number of digital transformation standards, and improve the standard system. Accelerate the centralization of control such as mining and selection, remote equipment monitoring, diagnosis, operation and maintenance, online sales, procurement and other services, apply mathematical models, promote independent regulation and control of production processes, and realize fewer operations and unmanned 3D positions.
Non-ferrous metal industry: improve the construction of mine infrastructure network, build a digital management system for mine resources and a comprehensive production control platform, carry out digital transformation of mining equipment and other infrastructure such as mining trucks, realize the unattended operation of fixed facility automation system, remote control operation of trackless equipment and rail transportation system, and intelligent operation of mineral processing production system, and build a safety management information system represented by behavior management system, ground pressure monitoring system, tailings pond safety monitoring system, and slope safety monitoring system. Strengthen the application of satellite remote sensing, UAV aerial photography and other technologies and multi-modal, multi-time series and multi-granularity data fusion technology, plan the mine geological environment monitoring system, develop geological disaster early warning and alarm, emergency disposal and other models, build a geological disaster big data center, prediction and early warning information service platform, emergency command and dispatch platform, and realize the management of geology, minerals and resources and environment.
Text source: "China Mining News" January 29 page 1
Interpretation of the Work Plan for the Digital Transformation of the Raw Material Industry (2024-2026).
Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Engineering jointly issued the "Work Plan for the Digital Transformation of the Raw Material Industry (2024-2026)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Work Plan"). In order to accelerate the implementation of the policy, the relevant contents of the "Work Plan" are interpreted as follows:
1. What are the main characteristics of the raw material industry and what is the connotation of the digital transformation of the raw material industry?
The raw material industry is the foundation of the real economy and the basic industry supporting the development of the national economy. As a typical process manufacturing industry, the raw material industry has the following three characteristics. First, it is resource-intensive and energy-intensive. The raw material industry mainly uses various minerals, oil, natural gas, biomass and other natural resources as raw materials, which is highly dependent on energy resources, and is also a major consumer of energy consumption and carbon emissions. Second, the process mechanism is complex. In the process of material production and processing, typical processes such as reaction, separation, smelting, and molding involve a large number of complex physical and chemical changes, most of which are carried out under high temperature and high pressure conditions, and it is difficult to dynamically monitor and control them in real time, and the "black box" attribute is significant. Third, the production continuity is strong. The process is mostly continuous, and all kinds of raw materials and energy are transferred between various processes and process units in the form of gas, liquid, solid, etc., such as large-scale chemical plants, blast furnace smelting, etc., and after the start of production, it takes several months or longer to run continuously.
The digital transformation of the raw material industry refers to the use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G, and industrial Internet to carry out integration, innovation, transformation and upgrading in the R&D and design, manufacturing, enterprise operation and management, logistics and warehousing, industry operation and control, coupling and coordination, and upstream and downstream collaboration, so as to realize the ubiquitous perception of production factors, the digital twin of the manufacturing process, and the optimal decision-making of operation management, drive the business transformation of the whole industry chain with industrial digitalization, and accelerate the promotion of industry quality upgrading, cost reduction and efficiency increase, and green and safe development.
2. What is the background of the introduction of the Work Plan?
General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to digital transformation, emphasizing that the traditional manufacturing industry is the foundation of the modern industrial system, and it is necessary to accelerate digital transformation, promote advanced and applicable technologies, and strive to improve the level of high-end, intelligent and green. It is necessary to grasp the opportunity of the integrated development of digitalization, networking and intelligence, and play the role of artificial intelligence in the transformation of quality, efficiency and power, so as to improve total factor productivity. The National Conference on the Promotion of New Industrialization pointed out that the rapid development and extensive penetration of digital technology have become an important driving force for new industrialization. It is necessary to accelerate the digital transformation of industry and make artificial intelligence an important engine to drive new industrialization. At present, the mainland has the dual advantages of a manufacturing power and a network power, and has built the world's largest and most complete industrial system, leading technology, and the most extensive information and communication infrastructure, and is in a period of great opportunity to promote high-quality industrial development through digital transformation.
The added value of the raw material industry accounts for about 30% of the added value of the industrial enterprises above designated size in the mainland, and is the main force to promote the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry. In recent years, the digital transformation of the mainland raw material industry has continued to deepen, and some leading enterprises in the industry have reached the international leading level, but they still face problems such as insufficient understanding of digital transformation, large differences in the foundation of digital transformation, high difficulty in modeling and simulation, in-depth integration and application of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, and shortage of compound talents. The "Work Plan" aims to conscientiously implement the deployment of the National Conference on the Promotion of New Industrialization, aim at the target requirements, seize development opportunities, promote the high-quality development of the raw material industry with digital transformation, enhance the core competitiveness of the industry and build new advantages in international competition, and provide solid support for accelerating the promotion of new industrialization and building a manufacturing power.
III. What are the overall considerations and main objectives of the Programme of Work?
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, conscientiously implement the deployment of the National Conference on the Promotion of New Industrialization, completely, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, adhere to planning guidance, problem-oriented, systematic deployment and classified advancement, and strive to consolidate the foundation of digital transformation with the ultimate goal of improving quality and upgrading, reducing costs and increasing efficiency, and green safety. Safe and efficient development.
The "Work Plan" proposes that by 2026, important progress will be made in the digital transformation of the raw material industry, key enterprises will complete the diagnosis and evaluation of digital transformation, and the ubiquitous perception of production factors, independent regulation and control of the manufacturing process, and the optimal decision-making level of operation management will be greatly improved.
First, the application level has been significantly improved. We will build more than 120 typical scenarios for digital transformation, cultivate more than 60 benchmark factories for digital transformation, and form a number of benchmark enterprises for digital transformation. Indicators such as the numerical control rate of key processes in key industries and the penetration rate of digital R&D and design tools have been significantly improved, and the number of enterprises with digital transformation maturity level 3 and above has increased to more than 20%.
Second, the support capacity has been significantly enhanced. Break through a number of key core technologies urgently needed for digital transformation, and formulate and revise a number of advanced and applicable digital transformation standards and specifications. Promote the application of more than 100 excellent products, and cultivate 100 excellent system solution providers.
Third, the service system is more perfect. Build 1 new material big data center, 4 key industry digital transformation promotion centers, 4 key industry manufacturing innovation centers, more than 5 industrial Internet identification analysis secondary nodes, and more than 6 industry-level industrial Internet platforms.
IV. What are the main tasks of the Programme of Work?
The Programme of Action deploys 14 tasks in four areas.
(1) Strengthen basic capabilities. The first is to consolidate the digital foundation and improve the capabilities of data collection, data aggregation and data quality management. The second is to improve the foundation of networking, build a ubiquitous perception network environment, carry out intranet transformation, build a high-quality extranet, and promote the construction and application of secondary nodes for industrial Internet identification resolution. The third is to strengthen the foundation of intelligence, and strengthen the construction, deployment, promotion and popularization of intelligent equipment, computing facilities, and model algorithms in key industries.
(2) Deepen the application of empowerment. The first is to help high-end upgrading, accelerate high-end product innovation, promote high-end upgrading of production process, and improve the level of high-end services. The second is to support green development, carry out equipment and process optimization and upgrading based on digital technology, carry out carbon emission calculation and carbon footprint traceability, and strengthen digital energy management and control. The third is to ensure safe production and accelerate the improvement of rapid perception, early warning and prevention, emergency response, system evaluation and other capabilities. The fourth is to achieve efficient operation, create an integrated management model of the whole chain, and promote business collaboration and resource optimization among upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain.
(3) Strengthen the cultivation of entities. The first is to cultivate digital transformation benchmarks and create a number of typical digital transformation scenarios, benchmark factories, smart mines, and benchmark enterprises. The second is to promote the integration and development of large and medium-sized enterprises, support leading enterprises and "chain master" enterprises to open markets, platforms and other resources to small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthen the professional cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises and large enterprises, and carry out urban pilot projects for digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises. The third is to promote the intelligent construction of industrial parks, strengthen the upgrading of digital basic capabilities and the construction of public service platforms in key industry parks.
(4) Improve support services. The first is to strengthen the supply of technological innovation, cultivate a number of products and system solutions for key industries, and build innovation centers for raw material industry manufacturing in different industries. The second is to strengthen the drive of artificial intelligence, catalyze a number of low-cost and high-value artificial intelligence products and solutions, and build a general large model of subdivided industries. The third is to strengthen public service support and create a public service support system covering technological innovation and transformation, industrial ecological construction and data element empowerment. Fourth, strengthen network and data security governance.
5. What are the benchmarks for the digital transformation of the raw material industry?
In order to give full play to the leading role of benchmarking in the digital transformation of the industry, create a number of typical cases and experience practices that can be replicated, promoted and promoted, based on the characteristics of the raw material industry and the needs of digital transformation, relying on the typical application scenarios of intelligent manufacturing and the existing pilot demonstration work such as demonstration factories, industrial Internet, new generation information technology and manufacturing industry integration and development, carry out benchmarking actions for the digital transformation of the raw material industry in the fields of petrochemical industry, steel, non-ferrous metals, building materials, etc., and create a number of higher-level, Typical scenarios, benchmark factories, and benchmark enterprises for digital transformation with higher integration and higher standards. The first is to create a number of typical scenarios for digital transformation in the fields of R&D and design, manufacturing execution, quality control, equipment operation and maintenance, warehousing and logistics, energy and environmental protection, and safety management. The second is to focus on the integrated application of digital technology in improving product qualification rate, comprehensive resource utilization efficiency, labor productivity of all employees, and energy conservation and emission reduction levels, etc., to build a number of digital transformation benchmark factories with remarkable results in the integrated application of "5G + Industrial Internet" and realize the digital twin of the manufacturing process. The third is to build a group of digital transformation benchmarking enterprises that are self-aware, self-learning, self-decision-making, self-executing, and self-adaptive in the whole process of manufacturing, management, and service, focusing on the improvement of technical capabilities, business process reengineering, optimization of operation and management decisions, and improvement of quality, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement.
6. What safeguards are needed for the implementation of the Work Plan?
The Work Programme proposes five safeguards.
(1) Strengthen organization and implementation. Strengthen departmental coordination and linkage. Dynamically track the progress of the work programme. An expert committee on the digitalization of the raw material industry and four digital transformation promotion centers for key industries have been established. Solicitation and selection of benchmarking enterprises, typical scenarios and solutions for the digital transformation of the raw material industry.
(2) Strengthen policy support. Research and formulate a list of key technologies and key products for the digital transformation of the raw material industry, and select a number of excellent system solution providers. Give full play to the role of the national industry and finance cooperation platform, and strengthen the support of financial institutions for digital transformation.
(3) Strengthen the construction of standards. Continue to improve the intelligent manufacturing standard system of petrochemical, steel, non-ferrous metals, building materials and other industries, and promote the formulation and revision of a number of technical standards. Formulate standards for evaluating the level and effectiveness of digital transformation in key industries. Intensify the publicity and implementation of standards and promote the application of mature standards.
(4) Strengthen the introduction and cultivation of talents. Promote the establishment of an information base of key talents and experts. Support enterprises to set up "chief designers of digital transformation" and "chief data officers", and accelerate the cultivation of leading scientific and technological talents, young backbone talents, compound talents, and engineers and technical skills talents urgently needed for transformation. Support the introduction of overseas high-end talents for digital transformation.
(5) Strengthen publicity and guidance. Support local digital transformation conferences. Strengthen learning, training, and benchmarking guidance for the digital transformation of the industry. Encourage the industry to hold a competition for technological innovation and application of digital transformation in the raw material industry, and strengthen publicity and reporting on the effectiveness of transformation experience.
It should be noted that we will face key industries such as petrochemical industry, steel, non-ferrous metals, building materials, etc., rely on third-party institutions, scientific research institutes, key enterprises, etc., to promote the establishment of digital transformation promotion centers in key industries, widely gather upstream and downstream resources of the industry, accelerate the implementation of key tasks of digital transformation, and carry out digital transformation assessment, consultation, diagnosis, etc.; On the basis of existing standards such as digital transformation maturity model and evaluation, combined with the characteristics and transformation needs of the raw material industry, research and formulate standards for evaluating the level and effectiveness of digital transformation in key industries such as petrochemical industry, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, and building materials, and evaluate and diagnose the digital transformation of raw material enterprises with higher requirements, more accurate, and more objective, find out the problems, put forward countermeasures, and select industry benchmarks.
Image source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology