In recent years, Hami City has positioned mine intelligence as a core technological pillar for advancing high-quality industrial development. Closely aligned with the national strategy for new infrastructure and new‑economy development, the city has actively promoted the deployment of 5G networks in key mines and mining areas, deepened the integrated application of 5G in the mining sector, and facilitated the digital and smart transformation of mining enterprises. These efforts have laid an important foundation for building safe, intelligent, and green mines characterized by intelligent production, ecological sustainability, scientific extraction, efficient resource utilization, and digitized management information.
　　
　　On June 18, at the site of the third-phase technical upgrade project for the Tianhu Iron Mine of Xinjiang Daming Mining Group Co., Ltd., located more than 200 kilometers from Hami city, construction is progressing steadily. Earlier, Daming Mining had completed a full‑process mechanization upgrade of its underground mining operations and a digital transformation of its management systems.

At the Tianhu Iron Mine of Xinjiang Daming Mining Group Co., Ltd., workers are conducting equipment commissioning. Photo by Guo Ziyi, reporter for the Integrated Media Center.

　　Zhang Long, the company’s deputy general manager, stated: “The Phase III technological upgrade project at Tianhu Iron Mine has set electrified mining as its next strategic goal, following digital and smart mining. We aim to establish a benchmark enterprise in Xinjiang for green mining, achieving zero emissions in mine operations. Upon completion of the Phase III upgrade, overall labor productivity will increase by an additional 20%.”

The Daming Mining Plant. Photo by Guo Ziyi, reporter at the Integrated Media Center.

　　For many years, Daming Mining has consistently pursued continuous exploration and innovation in mechanization, automation, digitalization, information technology, and green development, striving to build an intelligent mine characterized by reliable solutions, state-of-the-art equipment, a high degree of automation, and remote, unmanned, information‑based control.
　　
　　More than 120 kilometers from Hami city, the smart‑mine project at the Huangshan copper–nickel mine of Xinjiang Yakes Resource Development Mining Co., Ltd. has made significant progress. At a depth of 670 meters underground, 5G coverage has been achieved throughout the entire mine, and, via remote system control, more than ten unmanned electric locomotives carrying ore are now operating smoothly along the tracks.

Staff in the central control room are using a remote intelligent control system to ensure that production at the 670-meter‑deep underground working face proceeds safely, smoothly, and in an orderly manner (photo courtesy). Photo by Guo Ziyi, reporter for the Integrated Media Center.

　　Since 2016, the company has invested over RMB 30 million in upgrading its technology, optimizing production processes, and enhancing mechanization and automation. As a result, it has largely succeeded in mitigating potential hazards through automated and intelligent operations, thereby fostering a safe and stable working environment for mining operations.
　　
　　Gu Shengchun, Party Secretary and General Manager of Xinjiang Yakeshi Resource Development Co., Ltd., stated: “Currently, the number of underground workers has been reduced from 120 to fewer than 70 across three shifts. The IoT cloud-based control platform has enabled truly digital guidance and services for production.”

Workers are further optimizing each stage of the production process by analyzing real-time footage displayed on large screens in the central control room (photo courtesy). Photo by Guo Ziyi, reporter at the Integrated Media Center.

　　The mining industry is shifting from a “resource‑intensive” to a “high‑efficiency, intensive” model, with autonomous haul trucks, smart mining, and intelligent inspection all gaining traction. Fueled by the commercial rollout of 5G, mining companies are accelerating the development of intelligent mines, and the potential of “5G + Industrial Internet” applications in mining is steadily being unlocked. To date, key mining areas across the city have deployed a total of 27 5G base stations, with cumulative investments amounting to RMB 11.95 million. Coverage in office zones exceeds 90%, while coverage in production areas surpasses 85%.
　　
　　An Qiaoying, Manager of the Government and Enterprise Customer Department at the Hami Branch of China Mobile Communications Group Xinjiang Co., Ltd., stated that in 2019, Hami Mobile joined the effort to advance the development of smart mines in Hami City. Leveraging technologies such as 5G network slicing and edge computing, it has preliminarily enabled applications including integrated underground networking, high-definition video surveillance, and unmanned mining‑truck operations. Moving forward, Hami Mobile will focus on building 5G network infrastructure and accelerating the deployment of “5G+Smart Mine” solutions. By harnessing China Mobile’s dedicated 5G network for mining and its industrial Internet platform, the company aims to create smart‑mine use cases and support the high‑quality development of the mining sector.

Staff from Xinjiang Yakes Resource Development Co., Ltd. remotely demonstrated to attending business representatives the in‑track operation of a 5G‑enabled, driverless electric locomotive at a copper–nickel mine (photo courtesy). Photo by Li Hua, reporter for the Integrated Media Center.

　　Hami City has earnestly implemented Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, taking green and intelligent development in the mining sector as its guiding principle. The city has vigorously promoted the intensive, economical, and efficient utilization of mineral resources, continuously advanced green mining and a green transformation, and provided guidance and support to mines. It has also comprehensively launched efforts to establish green mines, becoming the first in Xinjiang to complete the construction of three green mines in 2014. In 2020, Yizhou District successfully established itself as a demonstration zone for green mining.
　　
　　Zhang Guoqing, the technical director of the Hami Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources, stated that, to date, the city has established seven national-level green mines—five in Yizhou District and two in Yiwu County—covering mineral types such as coal, copper–nickel, and iron. Additionally, 14 mines across the city are systematically advancing efforts to achieve green mining standards.
　　
　　“Going forward, we will devote significant effort to advancing green mines, smart mines, and industrial technological innovation. We will strengthen publicity and promotion, provide guidance and coordination, accelerate breakthroughs in core IoT technologies, foster collaborative resource development and sharing, and leverage complementary strengths. Furthermore, we will deepen the integrated application of 5G in the mining sector by establishing clear timelines and roadmaps, ensuring that ‘5G+Smart Mine’ initiatives are advanced to high standards and with high quality,” Liu Tao said with full confidence.