Metallurgy: the production of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and the manufacture of standard products, various structures, and components. It is one of the oldest industries.
Ferrous metallurgy includes the production of pig iron, steel, and ferroalloys. Non-ferrous metallurgy involves the production of heavy metals such as copper, lead, zinc, tin, and nickel, as well as light metals like aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and lithium. The key technological areas include pyrometallurgy, which involves extracting metals by heating raw materials in the presence of various substances, and hydrometallurgy, a process that extracts metals from ores, concentrates, and industrial waste using water and chemical solutions, followed by metal recovery from the solutions.
Trends and technologies:
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Rapid development of digitalization tools
The industry is increasingly using IoT, AI, big data, and machine learning technologies to automate processes. This includes the development of autonomous mining sites, unified management platforms, customer relationship management systems, and digital twins of production facilities.
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Low value growth encourages consolidation
Mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures are widely practiced in the metallurgical industry. These strategies are crucial as they help reduce investment volume and mitigate the risks of massive capital expenditures.
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Environmental focus
The image of metallurgical companies, their total cost of ownership, and, consequently, their competitiveness are increasingly dependent on the adoption of energy-saving technologies, emission reduction initiatives, and participation in raw material recycling.
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Increased engagement with local communities
Social contracts are becoming more important in shaping the development and reputation of metallurgical companies. These efforts include job creation, infrastructure development, and land reclamation at mining sites.
Impact of the metallurgical industry on the global economy:
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Resource base for strategically important industries: Metallurgical companies supply resources and metal products to key industries, including energy, construction, mechanical engineering, and shipbuilding.
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Significant job creation: The industry plays a vital role in reducing unemployment, providing six million jobs worldwide.
The largest steel-producing companies include China Baowu Group (China), ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg), Ansteel Group (China), and Nippon Steel Corporation (Japan).
