Hardware knowledge: Introduction to China's non-ferrous metal industry technology

1. A deep understanding of the importance of accelerating scientific and technological progress in the non-ferrous metal industry

Technological progress has always been a powerful driving force for the development of my country's non-ferrous metal industry. First, we must have a deep understanding of the new trends in the development of world science and technology. The world economy has just experienced the worst financial crisis in nearly a century. Historical experience shows that financial crises are often catalysts for new technological and industrial revolutions. Since the crisis, developed countries have started a new round of competition to seize the commanding heights of technology and industrial development. In the past two centuries, mankind has created more wealth than the sum of the past several thousand years. However, it is precisely because of this rapid development that the contradictions between energy, resources, environment, and space have become increasingly acute. The future scientific and technological revolution bears the mission of searching for new energy, new materials and new environment. It must not only support human development, but also achieve environmentally friendly, green, intensive and sustainable development. The process of the three industrial revolutions is also a process in which the scope of use of metal materials is expanding day by day. The first industrial revolution was mainly the use of steel, the second industrial revolution expanded the use of copper and aluminum, and the third industrial revolution expanded the use of semiconductor materials, electroplating materials, and rare metals. However, in such a large family of non-ferrous metals, the use of most metals has yet to be further developed. With the depletion of existing metal resources, the advancement of mining, smelting and processing technology and the development of materials science, the pace of replacing traditional basic materials with new functional materials will be further accelerated, which will further demonstrate the importance and superiority of existing nonferrous metals. Non-ferrous metals are supporting materials for high-tech development, and the industrial relevance is as high as 90%. Since the beginning of the new century, exciting breakthroughs have been brewing in the fields of material science, information technology, material technology, life science, ecological technology, marine and space technology, which will open up a wide range of applications for non-ferrous metals. In the foreseeable future, the non-ferrous metal industry will be closely related to the global industrial revolution.

Secondly, we must deeply understand the new strategy of building an innovative country. Building an innovative country was proposed when a series of new features appeared in my country's economic and social development. After 60 years of construction, especially 30 years of reform and opening up, my country has become the world’s second largest economy; it has gradually changed from a follower and introducer of technology to a promoter and innovator of technology; it has gone from a shortage of capital. A country with relatively abundant resources has become a country with abundant capital but relatively short resources; it has changed from a country that strives to solve the problem of food and clothing to a country that pursues green, environmental protection, and harmonious development. These changes require us to break through the increasingly severe resource constraints, compete for the increasingly fierce international market, seize the ever-changing international technological frontier, and meet the increasing material and cultural needs of the people. Judging from international experience, the process of Britain and the United States becoming world powers is a process of continuously leading technological innovation. South Korea, Singapore and other late-developing countries, relying on technological innovation to drive economic take-off are notable.

Third, we must have a deep understanding of the new challenges facing the non-ferrous metal industry. At present, my country's non-ferrous metal industry is in a critical stage of transformation and upgrading, and the development of the domestic and international situation has brought us huge challenges. To break through these challenges, all do not need to rely on technological progress. One is the challenge of international competition. my country’s development has always been under pressure from developed countries’ economic and technological advantages. Western countries’ policies to restrict exports of my country’s high-tech and products have not changed, and trade protectionism against my country has become increasingly prominent. The world's non-ferrous metal technology advances with each passing day, and the exploration and development of non-ferrous metal resources are developing toward the deep, continental shelf and deep sea; efficient, clean, and environmentally friendly have become the mainstream of the industry; intelligent control methods have brought revolutionary influence to the development of the non-ferrous metal industry. If we want to be late and catch up, we have to work harder. The second is the challenge of resource and energy bottlenecks. When European and American countries achieved modernization, they had only tens of millions of people, and now they have only a few hundred million. If our country is to modernize 1.3 billion people, it is impossible for them to follow the path of high energy resource consumption. In 2010, the self-sufficiency rate of copper, aluminum and lead-zinc concentrates in my country was only 40%, 50%, and 70%. In 2010, the non-ferrous metal industry accounted for 1.99% of the country’s GDP, but energy consumption accounted for 2.34% of the country’s total energy consumption that year. In particular, electricity consumption accounted for about 7.78% of the country’s total electricity consumption, which was significantly higher. The Chinese government has made a solemn promise to the international community: By 2020, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will be reduced by 40% to 45% compared to 2005. The non-ferrous metal industry is facing arduous and urgent tasks for energy conservation and emission reduction. The third is the challenge of the country's major needs. my country has identified seven strategic emerging industries to focus on. In the next ten years, my country will further implement major strategic projects such as large aircraft, space stations, Chang'e Project, and high-speed transportation. The development of these emerging industries and the implementation of major projects are inseparable from non-ferrous metal materials. The fourth is the challenge of the market economy. Knowledge and science and technology are a special kind of commodity. Scientific and technical personnel are engaged in a special kind of labor. In particular, some basic research is risky and the direct economic benefits are not high. Under the conditions of a market economy, how to unify short-term and long-term interests, how to unify partial and overall interests, how to unify economic interests and scientific spirit, how to strengthen basic research, so that scientific researchers can calm down and pursue high-quality products. Rather than eager for quick success, how to strengthen the combination of industry, university and research, straighten out the relationship of interests in all aspects, and form a strong synergy to promote scientific and technological progress, these are all new requirements put forward by the new situation.