The distribution of metallurgical coke in China presents the dual characteristics of “resource-oriented + industry-supporting”.
China’s blast furnace coke is mainly concentrated in North China, East China and the North China-Northwest connecting belt, while foundry coke focuses on high-quality coking coal production areas and foundry industry clusters, while ferroalloy coke and non-ferrous metal smelting coke are attached to areas rich in mineral resources and smelting industries.
Distribution map of China’s coal resources
Xinjiang’s total coal resources amount to 2.19 trillion tons, accounting for 40% of the country’s total, but coking coal resources account for only 19%, and are mainly low-metamorphic coal such as gas coal and long flame coal.
Zhundong Base: Relying on the Zhundong coalfield (predicted reserves of 390 billion tons), the Wucaiwan, Xiheishan and other mining areas are mainly thermal coal, but supporting enterprises such as Xinjiang Dahuangshan Hongji Coking (annual output of 500,000 tons of metallurgical coke) and Xinjiang Zotye Coal Coking (annual output of 1.9 million tons) have been built, and the products are mainly blast furnace coke.
Ili Base: The Yining mining area produces 27.3 billion tons of coal annually, of which Nileke County produces metallurgical coke through gas coal and gas fertilizer coal blending, which is supplied to Ili Iron and Steel Plant and surrounding foundry companies. Xinwen Mining Group Ili No. 1 Mine (capacity 12 million tons) and other coal mines provide raw materials for local coking.
Distribution map of coal resources in Xinjiang
Kubai Base: Baicheng County Zhongtai Coal Coking (annual output of 1.9 million tons) and Xinxing Casting and Forging Baicheng Coal Coking (annual output of 1.3 million tons) rely on the thermal coal of the Russian Hobulak mining area to produce metallurgical coke through coal blending technology, and support the coke oven gas to methanol project to achieve resource recycling.
“West Coal to East” Channel: Hami City is a hub for the export of Xinjiang coal. Hami Yili Coal Chemical (annual output of 450,000 tons), Lu’an Xinjiang Coal Chemical (Shar Lake Mining Area) and other enterprises produce metallurgical coke, some of which is transported to Gansu, Sichuan and other places via the Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway, or exported to Kazakhstan via the Baktu Port.
