The integration of digital exploration, refined processing, and low-carbon technologies is driving a leap in industry value.

Against the backdrop of surging demand for high-quality raw materials and increasingly stringent environmental constraints in the global steel industry, the iron ore industry is leveraging technological innovation as a core driver to overcome multiple bottlenecks in resource development, product processing, and low-carbon operations. From digital upgrades in exploration to refined processing breakthroughs, and finally to the integration of low-carbon technologies throughout the entire process, global iron ore companies are reshaping the industry through technological iteration, providing more efficient, greener, and higher-value-added raw materials to the downstream supply chain and propelling the industry toward a new stage of high-quality development.

Breakthroughs in digital exploration technology are laying the foundation for the precise development of iron ore resources. Traditional exploration relies on manual sampling and empirical judgment, resulting in low efficiency and large errors. Today, leading global companies are widely utilizing drone-based aerial surveys, geological radar, and AI-powered data analysis systems. Using 3D seismic exploration technology to construct digital ore models, they are increasing the accuracy of resource reserve calculations by over 30% and shortening exploration cycles by 50%. For example, a large-scale iron ore project, leveraging digital exploration technology, successfully discovered a high-grade ore body buried 800 meters underground, adding over 200 million tons of new reserves. This also prevented resource waste caused by blind mining and provided a scientific basis for subsequent development.

Upgrades in refined processing technology have significantly increased the added value of iron ore products. In response to downstream steel companies' demand for low-impurity, high-grade iron ore concentrate, the global industry has accelerated the optimization of processing techniques, developing a combined "ultrafine grinding - gradient magnetic separation - reverse flotation" technology. Through multi-stage fine processing, the grade of iron ore concentrate is increased to 96%, while the content of harmful impurities such as sulfur and phosphorus is controlled below 0.05%, meeting the production needs of specialty steels such as high-end automotive plates and nuclear power steel. Furthermore, the application of new wear-resistant materials has reduced equipment wear by 40% and processing energy consumption by 22%. Some companies have also achieved precise control of iron ore concentrate particle size, creating conditions for reducing energy consumption in subsequent steelmaking processes and driving overall efficiency improvements in the industry chain.

The deep integration of low-carbon technologies is leading the green transformation of the iron ore industry. To address the high carbon emissions from mining and processing, global companies are actively introducing clean energy and recycling technologies. Large-scale mines are widely adopting photovoltaic power supply and electric mining equipment, reducing carbon emissions by 45% compared to traditional methods. Breakthroughs have been achieved in tailings comprehensive utilization, allowing tailings to be processed into building materials such as lightweight partition boards and permeable bricks. Some projects have achieved a tailings utilization rate of 90%, reducing solid waste landfill by over 5 million tons annually. In wastewater treatment, membrane separation technology has been applied, achieving a water recycling rate of 98%, completely resolving the issue of mining wastewater pollution and driving the industry towards its "zero emissions" goal.

In the future, with the in-depth integration of technologies such as the Internet of Things and blockchain into the iron ore industry, technological innovation will focus more on efficient resource development, high-end products, and low-carbon processes throughout the entire process. Global companies need to strengthen technical R&D collaboration, overcome key technical bottlenecks, and use technological innovation to drive industry value growth, providing solid support for the green and sustainable development of the global steel industry chain.