Rising Above Adversity! The sand and gravel mining industry must undergo transformations in the coming years.

   To implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and to strengthen guidance for promoting equipment renewal and technological transformation in the industrial sector, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) organized the compilation of the Guidelines for Equipment Renewal and Technological Transformation in Key Industrial Sectors and Fields (hereinafter referred to as the Guidelines). Based on the Action Plan for Promoting Large-Scale Equipment Renewal and Trade-in of Consumer Goods and the Implementation Plan for Promoting Equipment Renewal in the Industrial Sector, the Guidelines were officially released on the Ministry's website on September 20.

   Against the backdrop of widespread challenges during a downturn period for the national sand and aggregate industry, this predicament quietly harbors unique opportunities for the transformation, upgrading, and leapfrog development of some sand and aggregate mines. Mr. Hu Youyi, President of the China Sand and Aggregate Association, emphasized earlier that the future of sand and aggregate mines lies in conducting "one-yuan business." This statement is not only a profound interpretation of cost control and refined management in the current market environment but also a precise positioning for the future development strategy of sand and aggregate mining enterprises. The multi-dimensional comprehensive measures he proposed—ranging from the scientificity of mine site selection, continuous optimization of process technology, and strict quality control to the improvement of logistics and transportation efficiency—provide a concrete path for sand and aggregate mining enterprises to break through challenges and achieve self-transcendence. This series of initiatives aims to enable enterprises to stand out in fierce market competition and achieve sustainable development through refined management, technological innovation, and efficiency enhancement.

   In this context, the Guidelines organized and compiled by MIIT are particularly important and timely. The introduction of these guidelines not only represents an active response to the orientation of national industrial policy but also serves as a powerful driver for the transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development of traditional industries such as sand and aggregate. By clarifying the direction and priorities for equipment renewal and technological transformation, the Guidelines provide scientific and systematic guidance for sand and aggregate mining enterprises. This helps enterprises accurately align with market demands, accelerate the phasing out of outdated production capacity, introduce advanced technologies and equipment, and enhance overall competitiveness.

   The Guidelines mention that China will carry out large-scale equipment renewal in 27 key industrial sectors, including petrochemicals and chemicals, iron and steel, building materials, construction machinery, basic components and fundamental manufacturing processes, and industrial robots, as well as in four key fields: industrial software, industrial network equipment, green and energy-saving equipment, and safety and emergency equipment. Specific renewal targets are set for 2027 for each sector/field, including for the building materials industry.

   The Guidelines identify equipment in the non-metallic minerals industry as a key focus for renewal. Priority will be given to promoting the renewal and transformation of equipment for mining, mineral processing, crushing and grinding, material handling, and testing. The use of equipment for high-efficiency and energy-saving mining and processing, integrated dry crushing and purification, large-scale superconducting magnetic separation, ultra-fine modification, and mineral calcination and purification is encouraged. The large-scale application of intelligent mining and processing equipment, intelligent belt conveyor galleries, and whole-process intelligent management systems will be advanced. Furthermore, the updating and upgrading of industrial operating systems such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Distributed Control Systems (DCSs), Data Acquisition and Supervisory Control Systems (SCADA), and embedded software within production lines and supporting equipment, as well as industrial software for R&D and design, production and manufacturing, operation management, and maintenance services, will be accelerated.

   The "Green and Energy-Saving Equipment" section of the Guidelines also mentions focusing on improving resource and energy utilization efficiency, with an emphasis on implementing renewal and transformation of equipment for the comprehensive utilization of industrial solid waste and recycled resources. By 2027, through the technological process and equipment upgrading for the comprehensive utilization of industrial solid waste and recycled resources, the comprehensive utilization rate of bulk industrial solid waste is targeted to exceed 57%, and the annual comprehensive utilization capacity for bulk industrial solid waste and recycled resources is aimed to increase by approximately 200 million tons. Efforts should be made to deploy equipment for source reduction of industrial solid waste.

   The implementation of the Guidelines will promote the optimization of production processes and improve production efficiency for sand and aggregate mining enterprises; reduce energy consumption and emissions, enabling green production; enhance product quality to meet diversified market demands; and fourth, strengthen logistics system construction to reduce transportation costs. These changes will directly assist sand and aggregate mining enterprises in identifying and seizing development opportunities during the downturn, achieving transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development.

   The challenges and opportunities in the national sand and aggregate industry's downturn period coexist. The release of the Guidelines provides valuable policy support and an action guide for sand and aggregate mining enterprises. By actively responding to policy directions, strengthening internal management, and promoting technological innovation and transformation/upgrading, sand and aggregate mining enterprises are fully capable of rising above adversity and embracing broader development prospects.