Developing mining circular economy and realizing sustainable development and utilization of mineral resources

Mineral resources are an important part of natural resources and an important material basis for the survival and development of human society. The exploitation and utilization of mineral resources plays an important role in promoting the progress, prosperity and economic development of human society. However, with the development of social economy, the demand for mineral products is increasing, and the consumption rate of mineral resources is getting faster and faster. It is predicted that some mineral resources will become extremely short or even exhausted within several decades. According to the prediction of relevant experts, among the 45 main minerals with proven reserves in China, only 23 will meet the demand by 20 10, and will drop to 6 by 2020. With the establishment of the goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way, China's mineral resources must have a new development strategy. Developing circular economy is an important way and effective measure to realize the sustainable development of population, resources and environment in China, and it is an ideal choice for the new strategy of mineral resources in China.

I. Overview of Circular Economy

Circular economy refers to an eco-economic development model characterized by clean production of products, recycling of resources and efficient recycling of wastes. It follows the laws of material circulation and energy flow in natural ecosystems, reconstructs economic systems, and harmoniously integrates them into the process of material and energy circulation in natural ecosystems.

Circular economy has three operating principles, namely "reduction, reuse and recycling", also known as "3R" principle. Reduction belongs to the input method, which aims to reduce the material and energy invested in the production and consumption process; Reuse is a process method aimed at prolonging the time intensity of products and services; Recycling belongs to the output method, which requires commodities to become renewable resources after completing their use functions.

Compared with the traditional economy, circular economy has the following differences:

(1) Network economy with closed material and energy cycle (resource utilization-green industry-resource regeneration);

(2) Recycling resources, scientific management, low development and high utilization;

(3) zero or low emission of waste, which is environmentally friendly;

(4) Pursuing the unity of economic interests, environmental interests and social sustainable development interests;

(5) The mode of economic growth is connotative development;

(6) Prevention is the key to environmental governance, and the whole process is controlled.

Circular economy and its characteristics show that it is an advanced economic form and development model and the only way to realize the sustainable development and utilization of mineral resources.

Second, the current problems in the utilization of mineral resources in China

On the one hand, the development of mineral resources has promoted economic development and social progress, but at present some problems are also quite serious. For a long time, the mining industry has followed the traditional economic development model of consuming a lot of resources and extensive management. Pay attention to speed, quantity, benefit and quality; Emphasis on extension to expand reproduction, light on connotation to tap potential; Repeated exploitation and neglect of protection of mineral resources have caused excessive consumption, destruction and huge waste of resources, and resources are facing depletion, and the sustainable development of mining industry is facing great challenges. At present, the problems existing in the development of China's mining industry are:

(1) Mineral resources are exhausted and reserve resources are insufficient.

Two-thirds of the mines built in China in 1950s and 1960s entered middle-aged and elderly people. After decades of intensive mining, resources are gradually exhausted, and more than 440 mines are about to close or threaten to close. Since 1990s, China has entered a stage of rapid economic growth, which has increased the consumption of many mineral resources. On the other hand, due to the disordered mining order, bad investment environment and serious shortage of investment in geological exploration in China, the geological and mineral exploration work has changed from the previous "vanguard" to the present "reception team", and the proven reserves of mineral resources have shown a downward trend. The growth rate of reserve reserves lags behind the consumption rate, and the supporting role of mineral resources in social economy has been weakening. In the next few decades, with the acceleration of industrialization in China, the consumption demand of mineral resources will increase exponentially. As mentioned above, according to the prediction of relevant experts, by 20 10, only 23 kinds of existing reserves of 45 major minerals in China will meet the demand, and only 6 kinds will meet the demand by 2020. It can be seen that the supply and demand situation of mineral resources in China is very severe, and the reserve resources are seriously insufficient.

(2) The laws and regulations on comprehensive utilization of mineral resources are not perfect, and the preferential policies for comprehensive utilization of mineral resources are not in place.

Comprehensive utilization of mineral resources benefits the country and the people. However, during the transition period of China's mining economy from planned economy mode to market economy mode, due to the fact that the mining industry in the past paid more attention to output, neglected management and neglected benefits, the state must also introduce corresponding laws and regulations as guidance, encouragement, guidance and even restraint during the transition process. In this regard, the state has also promulgated various laws, regulations and policies with mineral resources law as the main body, but the policies and regulations to encourage and restrict enterprises to comprehensively utilize mineral resources are not clear. For example, for low-grade ores mined by the rich and the poor, the recovered useful components are comprehensively utilized, because the recovery production process of these resources is relatively complicated, the production cost is high, the profit is low, and even financial subsidies are needed. The collection of taxes and fees is not based on quantity and quality, which increases the utilization cost, but the comprehensive utilization affects the economic benefits of enterprises, so the enthusiasm of enterprises for comprehensive utilization of resources is not high, and even leads to the abandonment of poverty. There is still a lack of relevant laws and regulations on the collection and recovery of secondary resources such as mining "three wastes".

(3) The comprehensive exploration and comprehensive evaluation of * * * (associated) components in the deposit are insufficient, and the useful components of minerals used by industrial departments are single.

At present, the scientific research strength of comprehensive utilization of mineral resources in China is still very weak, and the depth and breadth of comprehensive utilization of mineral resources are also insufficient. Because the industrial departments are scattered, the researchers of geology and mineral resources are not concentrated, the strength is scattered, and the instruments and equipment are backward, so it is impossible to form a fist. On the other hand, the basic research strength of comprehensive utilization of mineral resources is seriously insufficient. When deploying geological prospecting work, there is no experimental research work of comprehensive evaluation and comprehensive utilization research at the same time.

(4) The comprehensive utilization ratio of mineral resources is low, and the comprehensive utilization level of many small and medium-sized mines is very low.

China is rich in metal minerals and associated elements, but the overall comprehensive utilization level is low. The comprehensive utilization degree of small and medium-sized mining enterprises is relatively poor. Most small mining enterprises and mines do not make comprehensive utilization at all, so it is impossible to mine both the rich and the poor. Only 2% of non-ferrous metal mines have a comprehensive utilization rate of 70%, less than 15% of mines have a comprehensive utilization rate of 50%, and 75% of comprehensive mining enterprises have a comprehensive utilization rate of less than 25%. The comprehensive utilization rate of domestic nonferrous metal mineral resources is 20% ~ 30% lower than the advanced level abroad.

(5) The comprehensive utilization index of raw materials and associated useful components is low, and less useful components are recovered.

The comprehensive utilization rate of mineral resources is low, the management of mineral resources is extensive, and the recovery rate of useful minerals is low. There are many minerals in China. Among the developed minerals, there are 87 associated minerals, only 1/3 is comprehensively developed, and the comprehensive recovery rate is less than 20%. At the same time, due to the backward mineral processing equipment and low technical level in China, the recovery rate of many useful minerals is low. Due to the gap between metallurgical level and foreign countries, the total recovery rate of mineral resources in China is only 30% ~ 40%, which is lower than the international level 10% ~ 20%.

(6) The treatment and utilization of mine waste residue, waste gas and waste water, especially the development and utilization of a large number of tailings and solid wastes, is still in its infancy.

Due to the low comprehensive utilization rate, a large number of valuable elements and available non-metallic minerals in tailings remain in solid waste. At present, the utilization of fly ash and coal gangue in China is less than half of its output; All kinds of mines in China discharge 3 billion tons of wastewater every year, of which the utilization rate of return water from concentrator is only 65% ~ 70%, which has not yet reached the domestic requirement of 80%. The worst comprehensive utilization rate is the tailings with the largest output. A large number of dust and waste gas containing sulfur, arsenic and nitrogen oxides discharged during mining and metallurgy also have a great impact on the environment. The treatment and utilization of "three wastes" in mining industry, especially the development and utilization of a large number of tailings and solid wastes, need to be strengthened urgently.

(7) Lack of comprehensive utilization technology that adapts to the characteristics of China's resources.

The large-scale development and utilization of complex multi-element raw ore, lean ore and refractory ore is imminent. The traditional mineral processing production process is complex, with long process and high cost, and the products lack international competitiveness. Compared with the foreign advanced level, the domestic automatic control level of mineral processing metallurgical process is about 15 years behind. The lack of suitable, efficient and economical metallurgical processing technology has seriously restricted the development and utilization of these resources. The research of large-scale high-efficiency and low-consumption processing equipment in China is backward; Lack of comprehensive recovery of tailings, waste residue and other solid waste equipment. These problems restrict the benefit of comprehensive utilization of minerals and the comprehensive utilization of poor mixed minerals.

Three. Present situation of mineral resources development and utilization in Nanyang city

Nanyang City is located in the southwest of Henan Province, and is rich in mineral resources. Petroleum, gold, silver, rutile, trona, high-alumina refractories, graphite, building materials and other mineral resources are among the best in the province; In recent years, relying on the advantages of resources and location, we have established oil, polymetallic, building materials, chemical and jade processing industrial bases. These industries based on mineral resources have now become the pillar industries of our city's economic development. At the same time, there are also some problems in the exploration, development, utilization and management of mineral resources, mainly in the following aspects:

(1) The investment in mineral resources exploration has declined, making it difficult to increase reserves. While the state-funded exploration investment has declined, the commercial exploration investment has not increased much; There are as many as 140 exploration registration areas, but the actual investment in exploration funds is limited and the exploration effect is poor; Deep prospecting not only lacks capital investment, but also lacks advanced and feasible exploration technology and means, which is not suitable for the prospecting direction of deep concealed ore in the future.

(2) The resource situation is quite severe. The recoverable reserves of pillar minerals such as oil and natural gas have been recovered by nearly 80%, and the remaining recoverable reserves are about 22.36 million tons. The degree of resource protection is low, mining is difficult, and the potential of increasing reserves is limited. The mineral resources such as gold, silver and copper with remarkable new benefits are far lower than those consumed by mining. Dahe copper mine is in the closed pit stage; Most gold mines in western counties are in a semi-shutdown state due to resource depletion. Non-ferrous metals such as lead, zinc, tungsten, molybdenum and antimony, and ferrous metals such as iron, manganese and chromite are mostly small occurrences, and most of the occurrence resources have been exhausted.

(3) Some mineral processing technical problems have not been broken for a long time, which restricts the development of resources. Rutile and high alumina resources are abundant, but the technical problems of mineral processing persist, which seriously restricts the development and utilization of resources.

(4) The structure of mining enterprises is unreasonable. Outstanding performance in the number of non-metallic minerals, small scale, scattered layout. Non-metallic minerals such as cement limestone, marble and building stone. There are serious small mines and many mines. Some large non-metallic mineral products processing enterprises, such as cement plants, have not built their own mines, which is the main reason for the small opening of large mines and the poor utilization of superior mines.

(5) The comprehensive utilization level and deep processing capacity of mineral resources are low. The comprehensive development and utilization of resources in some mining enterprises and the comprehensive utilization of mine solid waste are poor; Mineral products have low scientific and technological content and weak deep processing ability; Non-metallic mineral products lack high-quality and high-grade products, and high-grade cement and special cement account for a low proportion of products.

(6) The ecological environment problems in mines are serious. According to incomplete statistics, the total area of land destroyed by mineral development is 1454 hectares, the area of soil pollution is 140.5 hectares, the area of water pollution is18.3 hectares, and the area of ecological damage caused by oil exploration and development is 147 1 hectare. The storage capacity of tailings and solid waste is1576.39 million cubic meters, accounting for 1673.37 hectares of cultivated land; There are as many as 8 dangerous zones of secondary geological disasters such as ground collapse, debris flow, ground fissure, collapse and landslide induced by mining activities; The destruction of vegetation and landforms leads to soil erosion and vegetation degradation, which leads to the deterioration of ecological environment.

4. Necessity and feasibility of developing circular economy in the field of mineral resources

(A) the necessity of developing circular economy in the field of mineral resources

1. The sustainable utilization of mineral resources requires the development of circular economy.

A key problem to realize the sustainable development of mineral resources is how to improve the utilization rate and even sustainable utilization of resources and ensure the safety of resources. At present, the comprehensive utilization rate of mineral resources is low, and mining the rich and abandoning the poor cause great waste and destruction of mineral resources. Circular economy requires reducing the input and loss of mineral resources in the process of development and utilization, using science and technology to improve the comprehensive utilization rate of resources, extending the industrial chain, deepening the processing of minerals and their by-products, and reducing waste discharge. This requirement and result of circular economy is the best way to completely solve the low comprehensive utilization rate of mineral resources and serious waste of resources.

2. To solve the environmental problems caused by the development and utilization of resources, we must develop circular economy.

The exploitation of mineral resources has caused pollution to the mine and its surrounding environment, induced various geological disasters and destroyed the ecological environment. Circular economy requires clean production in the development and utilization of mineral resources, the pursuit of recycling of materials and energy, equal emphasis on development and utilization and environmental protection, respect for ecological laws, and attention to the restoration and protection of ecological environment in mining areas. This is an environment-friendly development model. Only by developing circular economy, reducing the production of pollutants from the source and reducing the emission intensity of pollutants, can economic development be built on the basis of environmental affordability and the coordinated development of economy and environment be realized.

3. The transformation of traditional resource industries needs to develop circular economy.

The traditional resource development industry is extensive and unsustainable at the expense of "high capital investment, high resource consumption and high pollution discharge". Traditional resource industries must be combined with science and technology and take the road of circular economy.

(B) the feasibility of developing circular economy in the field of mineral resources in China

After several years of practice, China has accumulated a certain foundation in developing circular economy and has the feasibility of developing circular economy.

1. The government attaches importance to

The central government put forward the policy of changing the mode of economic growth, implementing the strategy of sustainable development and "paying equal attention to resource development and conservation, giving priority to conservation"; The state gives preferential tax reduction and exemption policies for resource conservation and comprehensive utilization, which effectively promotes resource conservation and comprehensive utilization; The state vigorously promotes cleaner production and strengthens the prevention and control of industrial pollution. In the Opinions of the State Council on Accelerating the Development of Circular Economy issued on July 20, 2005, "promoting clean production and vigorously developing comprehensive utilization of resources" is one of the key tasks of developing circular economy, and "popularizing advanced and applicable mining technologies, processes and equipment, improving mining recovery rate, mineral processing and smelting recovery rate, vigorously promoting comprehensive utilization of tailings and waste ore, and vigorously improving comprehensive utilization rate of resources" is one of the key links of developing circular economy. The provincial government also takes strengthening the comprehensive utilization of resources and vigorously developing circular economy as the focus of building a conservation-oriented society. The positive attitude of the State Council and the provincial government provides policy guidance and support for the development of mining circular economy.

2. Welcome to the enterprise

For enterprises, the development of circular economy is the deepening and perfection of comprehensive utilization of resources, which is conducive to the transformation of enterprise management mode from extensive to intensive; It is helpful for enterprises to achieve the "mutual promotion and win-win" of environmental and benefit goals; It conforms to the law of natural ecological operation and is helpful for mineral mining enterprises to achieve the goal of maximizing profits; It is helpful to effectively broaden the thinking of sustainable development.

3. Technical support

The deepening of the theory and application research of circular economy and the continuous improvement of the scientific and technological level of resource development provide reliable technical support for the development of circular economy. With the progress of society and the improvement of civilization, China citizens' awareness of resources and environmental protection has been significantly enhanced, laying the foundation for the popularization of circular economy in the whole society.

Five, the development of circular economy, realize the sustainable development and utilization of mineral resources.

To develop mining circular economy, we should adhere to the theory of sustainable development and Scientific Outlook on Development, and adhere to the idea of paying equal attention to development and protection, utilization and conservation. In practice, to realize the sustainable development and utilization of mineral resources through developing circular economy, we should do the following work well.

(A) to raise awareness and change ideas

Circular economy is a new mode of economic development, and at present, the society does not know enough about it. The promotion of circular economy is a long-term process and systematic project, which requires the active cooperation of governments at all levels, various enterprises and the general public. The existing management concepts and working methods can not meet the development requirements of circular economy. In particular, some leading cadres still have deviations in their understanding of circular economy. Government departments and mining enterprises unilaterally emphasize economic growth, ignoring the coordination between man and natural ecology. Some leaders also talk about circular economy, but the connotation, construction mechanism and guarantee policy of circular economy need to be further grasped. Therefore, to develop mining circular economy, we must first improve our deep understanding of circular economy and change the traditional concept. Specifically, three transformations should be realized.

(1) Change from protection plan management to environmental protection diversified business. In this transformation, the role of the government should be to provide systems and standards, rules, policies and laws and regulations. Environmental protection should develop in the direction of socialization, industrialization, specialization and enterprise under the leadership of the government, and strictly fulfill the environmental responsibilities of society and enterprises, especially mining enterprises.

(2) Change from traditional one-way thinking to new pluralistic thinking. All mineral resources development and utilization projects must comprehensively consider resource development, pollution prevention, clean production, environmental protection and other links, and take the concept of circular economy as the guide to realize rational and efficient development and utilization of resources and effective protection of the environment.

(3) From single economic operation to synchronous development of environment and economy. Mining enterprises should not only create wealth, but also save resources to the maximum extent, reduce costs, strive to realize the green mining strategy, and realize the synchronous development of environment, economy and industry.

(2) Actively carry out pilot work.

Circular economy is still in the pilot stage nationwide, and there is no practical experience in the field of mineral resources development. Therefore, we must explore in practice and accumulate experience for promoting the pilot work. The successful experiences and lessons of pilot units and typical enterprises are valuable assets for other units and enterprises to promote circular economy. We should choose different pilot enterprises according to different regions and types of mineral resources, accumulate experience through pilot projects and continue to develop through exploration. At the same time, the land and resources departments should strengthen cooperation with other relevant departments and do a good job in pilot work.

(3) Improve the technical level of comprehensive utilization of mineral resources and extend the industrial chain.

The overall characteristics of China's mineral resources are: there are many kinds of minerals, but there are many primary minerals and few single minerals; There are many poor minerals and few rich minerals, and the comprehensive utilization of minerals has great prospects. At present, the comprehensive utilization rate of mineral resources in China is low, and many mineral resources are lost in vain. The key lies in the low technical level. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the basic theoretical research of mineral resources recycling technology and innovate constantly, especially to develop new technologies and new processes, so that they can penetrate into all fields of mineral resources recycling and extend the industrial chain. By adopting new technology, the deep processing and reuse of mine waste residue and by-products can prolong the industrial chain, realize economic benefits, reduce waste discharge and environmental pollution, and achieve a win-win situation for economy and environment.

(d) Efforts to improve the management system of mineral resources and wastes.

Mineral resources waste can be summarized into two categories: one is tailings, that is, solid waste discharged during mineral processing; The other is waste rock, that is, geotechnical materials stripped out during mining. Due to improper treatment and disposal, these mineral resources wastes have caused serious harm to society, economy and environment, leading to a series of problems such as intensified engineering disasters, waste of resources, water pollution and vegetation destruction. The waste of mineral resources is not only harmful, but also available, which is a valuable secondary resource. The recycling of mineral resources wastes is promising. Strengthen the formulation of laws, regulations and supporting measures for resource recovery and utilization, solve the technical problems of resource recovery and utilization, and at the same time, use necessary economic means to improve mineral processing and smelting technology, carry out exploration, evaluation and material separation of tailings resources, accelerate the transformation of extensive predatory production methods, actively promote mining circular economy, pay close attention to tailings recovery rate and recycling of by-products after mining, and do a good job in tailings management and reuse.

(five) to restore and control the ecological environment in mining areas.

In some mining areas, due to long-term insufficient investment in mine environmental management, there are many environmental problems left by mines; Some mining enterprises only mine without treatment, and slag is piled up at will. As a result, serious soil erosion, debris flow, ground collapse, landslides and other disasters have occurred from time to time, and the ecological environment of the mining area has been seriously damaged. This not only threatens the ecological security of the mining area, but also seriously affects the safe development of surrounding mineral resources, and causes the destruction and occupation of a large number of land resources. Circular economy mode pursues the double improvement of mining economic benefit and mining ecological benefit. The sustainable development and utilization of mineral resources lies not only in the improvement of comprehensive utilization rate of mineral resources, the recycling and economical utilization of mineral resources, but also in the general maintenance and improvement of environmental quality in mining areas and even the whole. Good ecological environment in mining area is the premise and guarantee to realize the sustainable development and utilization of mineral resources. In order to make circular economy truly "circular" in the field of mineral resources, it is necessary to restore the natural ecosystem to a benign circular state. There is still a lot of work to be done in this regard, and it is necessary to mobilize the enthusiasm of governments at all levels and farmers and work hard to tackle key problems.

(six) to formulate legislation and policies related to circular economy and strengthen the administrative management of mineral resources.

The development of mining circular economy must be supported by laws and policies. Not only should there be a set of laws and regulations to regulate people's mineral development and utilization behavior, so as to develop circular economy, but also there should be relevant laws, regulations and policies to encourage, promote and guide the healthy development of mining circular economy. At the same time, it is necessary to establish and improve the management system of mineral resources, improve the quality of supervision and law enforcement personnel, and ensure that laws are strictly observed and those who violate the law are prosecuted. It is necessary to straighten out the ownership relationship between provincial, city and county governments and between government departments in mineral resources management, and ensure that the geological and mineral departments truly manage and protect the mineral resources in the region in accordance with the responsibilities entrusted by the state, and develop and utilize them scientifically and reasonably. At present, it is necessary to improve the system of laws and regulations concerning the security of land and resources as soon as possible, further improve and perfect the laws on individual resources and environmental protection, amend and supplement the Mineral Resources Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) and other relevant laws, and strengthen the protection and reuse of mineral resources. In addition, the construction of circular economy of mineral resources also involves the construction and improvement of many policies, such as the preferential policies of the state for comprehensive utilization of resources, and the policy system of finance, taxation, investment and technology to support the circular utilization of mineral resources.

In order to realize the recycling of mineral resources, local mining enterprises must formulate specific countermeasures and measures according to their own actual conditions, rely on technological innovation and theoretical breakthrough, effectively develop and utilize mineral resources, adopt new technologies and equipment, and strengthen the research on recycling of mineral resources. Only in this way can the sustainable development of mining enterprises be realized.