End-users offer high praise, often with a 'thumbs-up,' when discussing Shougang Mining's intelligent mine brand building, exemplified by testimonials such as: "Beijing Soly Technology Co., Ltd. is a champion, leader, and practitioner of intelligent mines. By leveraging its mining sites as research and development bases, the company has shown exceptional technical prowess through meticulous and in-depth work!"

"After introducing the new-material steel grinding balls from Shougang Mining, our mine has achieved a significant reduction in ball consumption," a user from Chengde noted in their feedback on trials.

"The rod-milled sand produced by the building materials lines of Shougang Mining's Shuichang Iron Mine is of the highest quality in the Tangshan region!" a customer remarked on WeChat Moments.

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This continuous improvement in customer satisfaction is a direct result of Shougang Mining's meticulous and unwavering commitment to developing outstanding product brands.

Since embarking on its initiative to create outstanding product brands, Shougang Mining has strictly adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, comprehensively implemented the principles from the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, ensuring the full, accurately, and comprehensively application of the new development philosophy. Centered on laying a solid foundation for high-quality development of Shougang Mining and achieving a transformation in its development mode, and guided by promoting technological innovation as Shougang's primary competitive edge, Shougang Mining has meticulously aligned these efforts with its overarching development plans. It has developed and refined effective mechanisms for cultivating, disseminating, and managing product brands, reinforced its brand development framework and capabilities, and effectively enhanced the brand value of Shougang Mining's products.

Strategic Planning and Key Approaches for a "Successful Start"

Establishing systems to improve management. A strong beginning is half the battle won. For the path of brand building to broaden and flourish, clear direction and the proper establishment of systems are indispensable. Based on its specific developmental context, Shougang Mining has formulated the Outstanding Product Brand Building Plan. It has established a leading group with the main Party and administrative leaders as the group heads and the deputy leaders in charge as the deputy group heads, who are fully responsible for the deployment of outstanding product brand creation initiatives. The working group emphasizes collaborative efforts, fully leveraging the managerial functions of various specialized departments, clearly defining responsibilities, and guaranteeing that brand creation activities are coordinated, efficient, and seamlessly integrated from top to bottom.

Clarifying positioning to make targeted efforts. Guided by the core brand elements of "quality, service, innovation, intangible assets, and tangible assets" and aligned with the development blueprint of Shougang Mining, an integrated development plan has been formulated. This plan fosters the simultaneous advancement of the "four major industries": the core mineral sector, comprehensive resource utilization, green transportation and logistics, and associated industries. This plan, guided by the principles of green development and contributions to ecological civilization construction, aims to cultivate brand products with distinct Shougang Mining characteristics. While formulating the Plan, all units and departments of Shougang Mining have integrated its dissemination and implementation into their daily work. The Equipment Department has made significant strides in promoting the realistic documentation of production processes, strengthening process control, and analyzing key processes in detail, thereby achieving the goals of stable product quality, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement. The Technical Quality Department has intensified on-site research, formulated production and sales quality standards that align with the needs of the primary market, and continuously optimized process control to meet raw material and technological benchmarks. Shuichang Iron Mine has refined its implementation strategy, driving increased production volumes and brand building of building materials products from both production and sales standpoints. The Measurement, Control, and Inspection Center has implemented four key measures: "formulating marketing strategies, strengthening R&D investment, rigorously managing projects, and leveraging the window effect." The Center systematically plans and meticulously organizes efforts to fully promote the brand-building of intelligent mines and enhance brand influence.

Process control and closed-loop management. With clear directives and precise guidance at each stage, all deployments can proceed smoothly and systematically. Since initiating work on creating outstanding product brands, Shougang Mining has effectively managed key junctures in the development of various industries, strengthened process control, and helped industries overcome bottlenecks to accelerate their growth. It has promoted frontline research to solve problems, conducted joint studies with relevant units, and addressed complex issues. For instance, in motor repair operations, the introduction of laser cladding equipment has been introduced to minimize damage during the repair of motor shafts. When used in conjunction with ultrasonic flaw detection equipment, this technology further reduces the risk of motor shaft breakage during operation, effectively enhancing the quality of motor repairs. The Technical Quality Department, utilizing two charts as analytical tools, continuously conducts professional reviews and poses a weekly challenge question to promote enhanced professional management at all levels and ensure sustained adherence to process standards. It strengthens the sharing and exchange of experiences by compiling and distributing thematic bulletins, where work experiences, achievements, and results in brand creation from various units are shared. This enriches work approaches and broadens perspectives. Utilizing integrated media platforms, the company shares stories of innovation, entrepreneurship, and touching moments in the creation process on local area networks and WeChat platforms, resonating with cadres and staff, thereby enhancing the cohesiveness and appeal of brand creation efforts and fostering a favorable atmosphere of "everyone contributing their part."

Exploring New Paths: Innovation Empowers "Overtaking on Curves"

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that "developing new quality productive forces is an intrinsic requirement and an important focus of promoting high-quality development."

Shougang Mining is resolutely focused on "promoting technological innovation as the primary competitive edge." Aligning with its current developmental stage, the company accelerates the cultivation and development of new, high-quality productive forces, facilitates the enterprise's transformation and upgrading through technological breakthroughs, enhances product quality and corporate brand influence, and constructs an autonomous and controllable industrial chain.

Leveraging technological innovation advantages to foster new quality productive forces. The fundamental driving force behind industrial innovation lies in technological advancement. While strategically planning and deploying emerging and future-oriented industries, Shougang Mining has also intensified the integrated upgrade of industry-university-research-application collaboration, driving the transformation of traditional sectors. The 100-megawatt photovoltaic power generation project is now grid-connected, establishing a novel scientific governance model that integrates "photovoltaic power generation on panels, ecological restoration beneath them, three-dimensional land utilization, and green electricity contributing to carbon reduction." This model achieves the dual benefits of "power generation above and sand fixation below," generating over 12 million yuan in economic benefits in 2024. Additionally, the introduction of electric wide-body mining trucks has not only reduced fuel consumption but also advanced the company's sustainable development towards a greener and lower-carbon future.

Shougang Mining has vigorously promoted the autonomous driving of electric wide-body mining trucks, striving to establish a new transportation model of "5G + fully electric + autonomous driving" for building materials production lines. An industry-university-research-application framework agreement has been signed with Hebei University of Technology to carry out a collaborative project on forging and rolling grinding balls, providing a scientific basis and technical guidance for grinding ball production. The machinery plant has implemented a "5+1" layout for its grinding ball production lines, resulting in an 89.47% increase in production capacity. Two technological achievements of Shougang Mining, namely the large-scale, resourceful utilization of tailings and the development of key technologies and applications for underground mining, have reached internationally leading levels. Additionally, the surface remote centralized control of individual underground equipment at Xingshan Iron Mine, utilizing 5G technology, has been included in the 2024 Catalog of Advanced and Applicable Technologies and Equipment for Mine Safety Promotion by the National Mine Safety Administration. Leveraging the strengths of management innovation to ensure high-quality development. Shougang Mining has implemented its innovation-driven development strategy deeply and comprehensively. Centering around the core mission of serving production and operation, it has established the "134 Pyramid" innovation activity system to drive transformations in quality, momentum, and efficiency, thereby enhancing value creation capabilities. The company has established a unified three-phase, three-tier, and two-category project framework, constructing a cluster of parent and subsidiary projects to synergize targeted and integrated innovation efforts. By emphasizing "six focal points," it has adopted more practical measures to address key issues, challenges, and bottlenecks encountered during the advancement process, fostering continuous improvement in operational management and facilitating the implementation of strategic plans, the fulfillment of annual budgets, and the completion of key tasks. In 2024, Shougang Mining completed over a hundred significant technological and management innovation projects. Among them, two achievements, including Research and Application of Low-Carbon and High-Efficiency Mining Technologies, were honored with the first prize of the Metallurgical Science and Technology Award. Intelligent Construction and Operational Management of Total Factors in Metal Mining Enterprises secured the second prize at the 30th National Enterprise Management Modernization Innovation Achievement Award. Additionally, Innovative Practices in the Intelligent Integration Model of Mining Enterprises was awarded the first prize at the 37th Beijing Enterprise Management Modernization Innovation Achievement Award.

Harnessing the power of grassroots innovation and drawing strength from collective ingenuity, Shougang Mining has carried out a mass-oriented thematic practical activity themed around "One Leadership, Two Integrations." Through various forms, such as typical case exchanges, achievement evaluations, and commendations of distinguished individuals, the company has consistently sparked enthusiasm for innovation among the masses. This has allowed more innovative "golden ideas" to blossom at the grassroots level, injecting an inexhaustible source of popular strength into brand building. Dashihe Iron Mine of Shougang Mining has introduced technologies such as 3D modeling and fluid simulation software, comprehensively broadening the gateway to digital management. Actively advancing the localization project for key components of power distribution cabinets, the mine has achieved complete localization of critical components in these cabinets, resulting in cost savings of approximately 3.3 million yuan and achieving dual breakthroughs in both technological processes and cost and consumption reduction. Additionally, the mine has researched the applicability of multi-head rolls and successfully conducted double-head rolling tests for 40mm and 50mm diameter rolling segments, resulting in an approximate 35% increase in production efficiency. Mass innovation is thriving at full steam, resulting in a surge of achievements. In 2024 alone, 60 projects were honored with the Workers' Technical Innovation Achievements Award by the China Machinery, Metallurgy, and Building Materials Workers Technical Association, while 16 projects received the Invention and Entrepreneurship Award at the National Exhibition of Inventions.

Strengthening the Foundation: High-Quality Services Pave the Way for "Accelerated Progress in the Later Stages"

If innovation is the ultimate approach to building a brand, then the market serves as the litmus test for products.

Shougang Mining has actively transformed its mindset, aligning with market changes and the needs of end-users. Adhering to the "manufacturing + services" philosophy, the company has unwaveringly advanced the creation of outstanding product brands for Shougang Mining, striving to make a lasting impact and penetrate the market.

The brand effect is gradually emerging. Shuichang Iron Mine has proactively established cooperative relationships with maritime trade enterprises, jointly organizing truck-based freight services at railway stations and connecting with the dedicated line of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway line to facilitate "combined rail-water transportation." This has further broadened the sales channels for products derived from comprehensive resource utilization. Shougang Mining's materials supply company has thoroughly explored market potential, successfully developing station yards in Raoyang, Hengshui; Wanzhuang, Langfang; and Wuqiao, Cangzhou, among others, thereby further increasing market capacity. The Measurement, Control, and Inspection Center has further embedded the "product + service" concept, leveraging its technological advantages to bolster product marketing, explore external markets, and continuously promote the brand's leading position within the industry. Additionally, the grinding ball division of the machinery plant has successfully secured annual orders of 17,000 tons in overseas markets and is organizing shipments in an orderly manner. While consolidating its existing customer base, the bundling strap division has gradually expanded into regional markets in the Northeast, Northwest, and North China, continuously increasing its market scale.

Building brands with quality and earning a reputation through service. As we advance, Shougang Mining will fully implement the spirit of the Group's "two sessions" (the meetings of the CPC Committee of Shougang Group Co., Ltd. And the Workers' Congress of Shougang Group). It will continuously refine its approach to outstanding product brand building, leveraging digital and intelligent empowerment to drive industrial transformation and upgrading. By doing so, it aims to consistently enhance the industry influence and market competitiveness of Shougang Mining's brands. With a sense of mission to take the lead and an urgency to seize every moment, Shougang Mining will diligently cultivate its internal strengths, deeply explore its potential, and strive to become a valuable enterprise to the Group. It is committed to contributing more mining power in shaping the Shougang scenario of Chinese modernization.