According to Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin), its production plan for 2012-2015 period has been approved by the government recently. Up to 2015, the country’s coal industry is expected to reach production output of 55 million tonnes of clean coal. Vinacomin has targeted an annual growth rate of 6-7 per cent and to ensure national power security.
Upgrading production scale
In the coal mines situated in North East region, Vinacomin would upgrade and expand production scale in the 61 current coal mines, as well as make investment in 28 new mines with capacity of 2 million tonnes per year.
In power generation sector, Vinacomin has set target to reach production capacity of over 1,850 MW up to 2015, accounting for 4-5 percent of the national power production output. Vinacomin also planned to make investment or purchasing the mines outside Vietnam.
In mineral mining sector, Vinacomin would continue implementing the current projects such as Sin Quyen bronze complex in Lao Cai province, Co Dinh chromites in Thanh Hoa province, Cao Bang steel complex, Nhan Co and Tan Rai alumina complex. In addition, the group also aimed to carry out new mining projects overseas such as mining and processing iron ore in Phu Nhoun, Laos with designed capacity of 540,000 tonnes per year.
In addition to 61 existing coal mines, Vinacomin will develop 28 new mines with a total annual capacity of two million tons and buy mines in foreign countries to ensure the stable coal supply for power plants.
The total investment needed for the coal industry’s development plan amounts to VND182.750 trillion, or nearly US$9 billion.
1,850MW from coal-fired power plants
The Prime Minister has approved the development plan of the coal industry in the 2011-2015 period, with many coal-fired thermal power projects to be built with a total capacity of 1,850MW.
According to the plan, the coal industry will provide the national power grid with around 10.5 billion kWh from thermal power projects, helping ensure the energy security.
Specifically, big thermal power projects like Cam Pha 2 with a capacity of 330MW, Cam Pha 3 with 270MW, Mao Khe 440 MW, Dong Nai 5 some 150MW, Ly Son 6 and Phu Quoc 200MW each.
Besides, Vinacomin will invest in two more thermal power projects, Quynh Lap in Nghe An Province and Haiphong 3 in Haiphong City.
To meet the coal supply for thermal power plants in the future, the industry will continue to explore the coal volume at six mines, including Na Duong, Nui Hong, Khanh Hoa, Lang Cam, Khe Bo and Nong Son.
Minh Nghia - Huong Ly
Vietnamese
