[Mingda Role Model] Group (Bureau) Mingda Craftsman Feature Series — Qi Xiequan

　　In July 2002, Qi Xiequan, a graduate of the Engineering Geology program at Shandong Provincial Geological School, joined the Shandong Geological Exploration Institute of China Chemical Geology And Mining Bureau, filled with aspirations for the geological profession. Since joining the institute, he has been engaged in hydrogeological and environmental geological exploration, evaluation, and related research, progressing from technician to technical leader, then project manager, and finally chief engineer—always working on the front lines in the field.

　　Over twenty years of frontline fieldwork, Qi Xiequan has consistently prioritized technical quality while diligently deepening his expertise in specialized geological disciplines. He has actively pursued new technologies, methodologies, models, and standards, seamlessly integrating them into practical applications. To date, he has led the successful completion of 28 large-scale hydro‑engineering and environmental geology projects—three of which were conducted overseas—and more than 100 medium- and small‑scale projects. He has received 26 awards at the provincial, ministerial, departmental, and municipal levels; published 17 professional papers; and co-authored two monographs. Additionally, he holds seven patents and software copyrights granted by the National Intellectual Property Administration and the National Copyright Administration. Through continuous innovation and a commitment to excellence, he has been honored with numerous titles over the years, including “Advanced Worker,” “Outstanding League Member,” “Union Activist,” and “Outstanding Union Official.”

　　“In our geological industry, fieldwork is demanding, and we frequently encounter a wide range of challenges,” recalls Qi Xiequan, his memories vivid and clear. He takes the initiative to uphold the spirit of geologists—“three honors and four special qualities”—and proactively overcomes harsh working conditions, steadfastly staying on the front lines. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, he has steadily developed robust technical expertise, a tenacious fighting spirit, a dedicated craftsman’s ethos, and a strong reputation in the market.

　　To better enhance his capabilities and excel in hydrogeological and environmental geology, Qi Xiequan, who majored in engineering geology, has never ceased his pursuit of learning. Over the years, he has consistently combined work with study and reflection, continuously strengthening himself through knowledge and professional expertise. In 2010, he completed advanced studies in Environmental Science at Shandong University of Science and Technology, bolstering his skills and confidence to tackle hydrogeological and environmental geology tasks with greater ease and proficiency.

　　The spirit of craftsmanship places匠心—meticulous dedication—at its core and innovation at its heart. During the preparatory phase of the Jinan City North‑Cross‑District Ground Subsidence Investigation and Assessment Project, which involved hydrogeological and engineering geological drilling, the core recovery rate in the loose soil layers was extremely low—only 60% to 70%, far short of regulatory requirements. Despite trying various construction techniques and multiple drill‑rig models, the problem persisted, severely compromising borehole quality and safety. This project was not only the first ground‑subsidence investigation undertaken by Shandong Institute in Jinan but also filled a critical gap in the city’s subsidence‑monitoring efforts, making it of exceptional significance. As the project leader, Qi Xiequan felt an enormous sense of responsibility. During that period, he struggled to sleep at night, lost his appetite, and spent his waking hours pondering solutions. With duty on his shoulders and mission ahead, Qi Xiequan remained steadfast in his artisanal commitment. Through repeated experimentation and exploration, he led his team to develop a device that prevents core loss during the lifting process in loose strata, boosting core recovery from the original 60%–70% to over 95% and providing robust technical support for the successful completion of the project. In the stratified‑logging drilling phase, when hole depths exceeded 200 meters, the team encountered the issue of borehole shrinkage and bit‑sticking. Confronted with this new challenge, Qi Xiequan pressed forward, guiding his team through numerous difficulties to devise a specialized drill‑tool designed to prevent shrinkage‑induced bit‑sticking in loose formations. This innovative solution effectively resolved the problem of stuck bits caused by borehole narrowing, ensuring the safe execution of the drilling operations.

　　Through the concerted efforts of Qi Xiequan and his team, this project was successfully completed with remarkable results, laying a solid foundation for Shandong Institute to subsequently undertake ground‑subsidence projects in Jinan City. Moreover, the two inventions developed by Qi Xiequan and his team have been granted utility‑model patent certificates by the National Intellectual Property Administration.

　　Great craftsmen excel in virtue and are adept in practice. Qi Xiequan relentlessly pursues the pinnacle of professional skill, sustains a passion for innovation, and upholds unwavering focus and dedication. Through the mutual reinforcement of time and artistry, he has demonstrated the enduring spirit of craftsmanship with unyielding perseverance. The “Water Supply Source Investigation for the Baha Cement Plant in Chad” project, which he led, marked Shandong Institute’s first overseas commercial geological undertaking; its results earned high praise from both the client and the supervising party. Another project he spearheaded—the “Exploration of Mining Technical Conditions at the Dongtai Section of the Nongbo Potash–Magnesium Salt Mine in Khammouane Province, Laos”—was Asia’s inaugural groundwater investigation for an open-pit potash mine. In this work, he introduced the concepts of mudstone fracture aquifers, brine layers above the salt, and confined water, overturning the conventional understanding in Laos that solid potash–magnesium salt deposits feature a bittern layer and that potash ores are “salt‑rich but water‑poor, with mudstone serving as an impermeable barrier.” His findings have provided valuable lessons for the exploitation of similar potash deposits and laid a solid foundation for Shandong Institute to expand into international geological markets. From 2014 to the present, the series of “Ground Subsidence Surveys and Assessments in Jinan City,” overseen by Qi Xiequan, has secured funding exceeding RMB 17 million. The project outcomes have filled a critical gap in Jinan’s efforts to monitor and address ground subsidence; notably, the deepest stratified monitoring borehole constructed reached 1,096.83 meters, ranking second in Asia at the time in terms of depth.

　　Staying true to our original aspirations strengthens our resolve and drives practical action, while a craftsman’s spirit builds dreams and fulfills our mission. Through winters and summers, Qí Xiéquán has already spent twenty years forging ahead in the geological field. Over these two decades, he has remained steadfast in his commitment and unwavering in his dedication to excellence. Countless days and nights of painstaking exploration and hard work have ultimately yielded gratifying growth and bountiful rewards. Faced with an abundance of achievements and accolades, the ever‑modest and unassuming Qí Xiéquán affirms that he will continue to lead his team to stay rooted at the front lines, tackle tough challenges, and scale new heights. At the same time, he will, as always, leverage his professional expertise to address real‑world issues in his work, steadily accumulate experience, and draw valuable lessons—helping younger colleagues avoid unnecessary detours and truly fulfilling his role as a mentor who passes on knowledge and skills.

　　As a distinguished craftsman, Qi Xiequan encourages young employees to boldly embrace the spirit of youthful vigor and pioneering initiative in the wave of scientific and technological innovation, shouldering the mission entrusted to geologists in the new era. He calls on them to earnestly implement the innovation-driven strategy and the talent‑strong‑nation strategy, achieving personal success through skill and contributing to enterprise growth via expertise. Within a corporate culture that values skills and respects talent, they are urged to make even greater contributions to the high‑quality development of the Shandong Institute and the Group (Bureau).