On the sidelines of the ongoing 7th session of the 13th National Assembly, Deputy Tran Xuan Hoa of Quang Ninh province, former Chairman of Vietnam National Coal, Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin), answered the Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) on the impacts of China market on coal industry. "For the coal industry, we are completely active,” he said.
Hoa said Vinacomin has been successful in capitalising on its internal strengths.
Its entire conveyor system has been invested in the form of build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. From smaller conveyor belts in Mao Khe and Mong Duong coal mines to bigger ones in Vinacomin Cao Son Coal Company worth VND3,000 (US$150 million) are undertaken by Vietnamese enterprises.
For longer steps, Vinacomin has spent up to VND40-50 billion each year on scientific and technological activities. In 2009, the group established the Scientific and Technological Development Support Fund to support scientific and technological projects. With this source of funds, Vinacomin has developed long-term scientific and technological programmes on coalmine and mineral mine modernisation; mineral screening and processing technological development; cleaner, safer and more economical production development; and scientific and technological management and capacity building.
The Fund has also enabled Vinacomin to support its units to develop screening and deep processing technologies to increase the utility value of coal and minerals. To improve the quality of coal categorisation and the recovery of mineral resources, the Vinacomin Institute of Mining Science and Technology designed, developed and coordinated with other specialist units to install and commission 15 low-quality coal screening lines in Uong Bi, Nui Beo, Mao Khe, Deo Nai, Coc Sau, Quang Hanh and Ha Lam coal companies. Thus, the group has recovered additional 20-30 percent of coal compared to old technologies. At the same time, powered by automation technologies, these solutions also help reduce environmental pollution and occupational diseases to workers.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vinacomin effectively designs, fabricates and localises mechanical products, electrical equipment and automation to serve its coal mining and production. In addition, Vinacomin’s units have focused on coal mining technologies for special conditions, equip facilities and techniques for scientific and technological activities, and develop cleaner, safer and more economical production models.
Vinacomin reported to produce 14.03 million tonnes of coal in the first five months of 2014. Coal consumption in May was 3.34 million tonnes, up 3.25 percent from a year earlier, totalling 15.72 million tonnes in the five-month period, equal to the amount in the same period of 2013. Coal export reached 0.57 million tonnes in May, down 60 percent year on year, totalling 3.35 million tonnes in the January-May period, down 38.61 percent year on year. Domestic coal consumption was 2.74 million tonnes in May, up 21.35 percent year on year, totalling 12.37 million tonnes in the five months, up 21.37 percent year on year.
Huong Giang
Vietnamese
