Secured 330 Million Tons of Raw Minerals Last Year
Preventing Pollutant Emissions and Improving Efficiency
Leading IT Integration and Waste Resource Recycling
The Korea Mine Reclamation Corporation, which recently celebrated its 3rd anniversary, is undertaking various projects to transform itself into a specialized institution responsible for the entire lifecycle of mine reclamation and mining.
The Korea Mine Reclamation Corporation was established in September 2021 through the merger of the Korea Resources Corporation and the Korea Mine Reclamation Corporation. This integration aimed to unify the capabilities of the two organizations to ensure consistency in overall project planning and minimize disruptions in project operations.
Representative projects aimed at growing into a specialized institution responsible for the entire lifecycle of mine reclamation and mining include strengthening the domestic self-sufficiency base and restoring abandoned mine areas. A corporation official explained, "Although domestic mineral production is decreasing and most quantities depend on imports, the demand for minerals is increasing alongside the development of advanced industries both domestically and internationally. The need for critical minerals that enable minimal industrial operation during supply instability is rising. Last year, the corporation achieved success by exploring promising deposit areas and securing 330 million tons of industrial raw minerals."
As new mining sites emerge domestically, the need for mine reclamation management is also increasing. It is necessary to prevent the release of pollutants that may occur during mine development and to close low-profit coal mines and mines early to reduce pollution factors. Since last year, the corporation has been accelerating environmental restoration in the regions by gradually closing the Hwasun, Jangseong, and Dogye coal mines early.
Support for the entire lifecycle of mine reclamation and mining is not limited to revitalizing industrial activities. To meet the requirements of future industries, the corporation is also promoting the spread of "Smart Mining." Smart Mining utilizes information and communication technology techniques such as the Internet of Things to automate and unmanned all mining operations that were previously performed manually, including stacking, transportation, drilling, and blasting. The corporation supports equipment installation costs for businesses aiming to introduce Smart Mining and fosters new personnel capable of operating the system through system demonstrations and practical training programs.
The corporation is also expanding the scope of mine reclamation projects by transferring technologies that recycle mine waste to private companies. Technologies that produce desulfurizers and arsenic adsorbents using mine sludge (sediment) as raw materials have been transferred to private enterprises to enable commercialization. The profits generated are reinvested in infrastructure expansion, creating a virtuous cycle.
Its activities are also expanding overseas. The corporation is broadening its scope by signing memorandums of understanding with various national institutions to support mine reclamation projects and facilitate resource supply. Annual regular seminars are held with the world's seven major resource-rich countries to lay the groundwork for supply chain agreements. Joint private investigation teams are dispatched to key mineral-rich countries to connect and enable the development of foreign resources using Korean technology.
An official from the Korea Mine Reclamation Corporation stated, "Although the corporation is young, having just marked its 3rd anniversary, it has established itself as an influential institution. The trust built through various projects will positively impact securing domestic mineral self-sufficiency and supply volumes, contributing to strengthening South Korea's industrial competitiveness."
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