High Oil Prices Highlight Coal's "Ballast" Status; Hengpu Laser Wear-Resistant Picks Reduce Costs and Increase Efficiency for Mining

Hengpu (Ningbo) Laser Technology Co., Ltd. Coal Shearer Pick Technology White Paper

I. Energy Reality under Oil Price Pressure: Coal Remains a Cost "Stabilizer"

In the context of the current high fluctuation of international oil prices and complex energy security situations, the economic and strategic value of coal as the "ballast" of China's energy system is becoming increasingly prominent. Hengpu (Ningbo) Laser Technology Co., Ltd. has introduced mature wear-resistant layer technology into the field of coal shearer picks. Through three core breakthroughs: reducing sparks, protecting the pick body, and synchronous wear, it helps coal mining enterprises achieve dual optimization of safety and cost under hard rock working conditions.

Since April 2026, international oil prices have continued to run high due to geopolitical and other factors, with Brent crude oil prices once breaking through $110/barrel. Domestic refined oil prices have subsequently been raised multiple times, with 92-octane gasoline generally entering the "8 yuan era," approaching 9 yuan/liter in some areas, and diesel prices remaining high at around 8.5 yuan/liter. This fluctuation directly drives up the fuel costs of transportation, power generation, and industrial production.

Under this environment, the cost-performance advantage of coal has been magnified again. Data shows that in 2025, coal consumption still accounted for a high 51.4% of total energy consumption, remaining the absolute main force of energy supply. Compared to oil and gas resources dominated by international market pricing, coal has the characteristics of relatively stable prices and a self-controllable supply chain, serving as a key force in smoothing out energy cost fluctuations.

II. Pain Points of Coal Mining Costs: Pick Wear and Spark Hazards

In the coal mining process, the shearer pick is the core consumable directly contacting coal and rock, and its performance directly determines mining efficiency and comprehensive costs. Traditional picks face two core challenges in practical applications:

• Asynchronous wear: The alloy pick head has high hardness, but the pick body (blade) lacks wear resistance, leading

  to the phenomenon where "the pick body is scrapped before the alloy is worn out." This results in low alloy utilization

  and frequent replacements that push up accessory and labor costs.

• Safety risks: When cutting hard rocks or dirt bands (gangue layers), traditional picks easily generate high-intensity

  sparks, posing safety hazards and exacerbating impact damage to the pick body.

III. Hengpu Laser Solutions: Wear-Resistant Layer Technology Reshapes the Pick Life Cycle

Addressing the above pain points, Hengpu Laser deeply applies market-proven wear-resistant layer technology to the coal mining pick field, achieving three major product performance upgrades:

1. Synchronous Wear Design Significantly Reduces Cost per Ton of Coal Mining

By cladding a special wear-resistant layer on the key stress-bearing parts of the pick body, the wear resistance of the body is highly matched with the alloy head. This design achieves synchronous wear of the alloy and the body, completely solving the problem of premature failure of the pick body. In practical applications, the effective service life of a single pick can be increased by more than 50%, significantly reducing the frequency of downtime for replacement and lowering the amortized cost of accessories for per ton of coal mined.

2. Reduce Spark Generation to Enhance Underground Operational Safety

The introduction of the wear-resistant layer improves the contact mechanics between the pick and the rock, effectively reducing the probability and intensity of sparks generated when cutting high-hardness rock layers. This feature is particularly important for gassy mines or high-dust environments, adding a technical guarantee for underground safe production.

3. Strengthen Impact Toughness to Tackle Hard Rock Conditions

Aiming at the common gangue (hard rock intercalation) working conditions in coal seams, Hengpu picks optimize the substrate material and heat treatment process, possessing higher impact resistance and toughness. The product is less prone to brittle fracture when subjected to severe load fluctuations, effectively coping with complex geological conditions and reducing abnormal wear and tear.

IV. Full-Cycle Cost Saving Logic

Conclusion

At present, with high oil prices and sensitivity to energy costs, ensuring high efficiency and low cost in coal mining has dual strategic significance. Relying on its deep accumulation in the field of laser cladding, Hengpu (Ningbo) Laser Technology Co., Ltd. empowers coal mining picks through wear-resistant layer technology. It not only extends product life but also provides coal mine customers with a safer and more economical solution by reducing sparks and enhancing toughness.

Choosing Hengpu means choosing to lock in certain mining costs with technological innovation in the changing energy landscape.

Hengpu (Ningbo) Laser Technology Co., Ltd. — Technology escorts safety, innovation reduces cost burden.