Vietnam to Shut down Open-cast Coal Mines by 2014
Vietnam’s top miner Vinacomin said it would totally shut down open-cast coal mines by 2014, shifting to exploit pit coal mines with an aim to minimize environmental pollution and economize on natural resources at maximum.
Vinacomin would close three open-cast coal mines including Deo Nai, Ha Tu and Bui Beo, switching to pit coal mining by 2010, the group said while working with the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the coal industry development plan in the period of 2006-2015.
For the two remaining mines – Cao Son and Coc Sau, Vinacomin will treat pit wastewater with the technology applied to Ha Lam mine at present so as to be able to reuse the whole this wastewater source.
To totally switch to pit mining technology, in the coming years, the group will continue to boost modernization of technology to improve coal recovery coefficient, labor productivity and production efficiency as well as to raise labor safety and explosion prevention.
Along with closing open-cast coal mines, Vinacomin also targets to reach all environmental standards in the entire mine sites.
The group earlier proposed the government to add pit coal mining projects to the list of preferential investment projects.
Vinacomin needs US$2.5 billion to invest in new coal mines by 2015. (VNA)
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