The Vietnam Coal Industry Development Planning to 2020, with a vision to 2030, approved by the Prime Minister in Decision 60/QD-TTg dated January 9, 2012 (referred to as Planning 60) has been carried out effectively to ensure sufficient coal supply for socioeconomic development, and improve the efficiency of resource management and protection. However, after three years of implementation of Planning 60, due to considerable changes in industrial development pace, coal demand of big consumers like coal-fired power plants, cement producers, building material producers, metal companies, chemical and paper firms and changes in coal exploration results, Planning 60 needs to be modified, updated, reviewed and adjusted to suit realities.
Carrying out the Directive of the Prime Minister stated in Official Letter 02/VPCP-DMDN of the Government Office dated January 2, 2014 assigning the Ministry of Industry and Trade to lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to review and adjust the Vietnam Coal Industry Development Planning to 2020, with an eye to 2030, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision 8358/QD-BCT dated September 18, 2014 and Decision 3852/QD-BCT dated April 21, 2015 approving the outline for the establishment of Vietnam Coal Industry Development Planning Project to 2020, with a vision to 2030 (referred to as Amended Planning 60). Accordingly, the ministry assigned Vinacomin Industry Investment Consulting Joint Stock Company (VIMCC) to advise on the formulation of Amended Planning 60 Project.
On September 1, the Ministry of Industry and Trade organised a workshop to collect opinions for the Amended Planning 60. According to reports presented to the meeting, Vietnam’s total coal reserves were estimated at 46,961,435,000 tonnes by the end of 2014. Of the sum, the sure and reliable reserves were 3,585,316,000 tonnes (accounting for 8 percent), estimated resources were 2,296,329,000 tonnes (5 percent), and prognostic resources were 41,079,727,000 tonnes (87 percent).
The coal industry performed 27 exploration projects by the end of 2014. Although test-drilled volume was lower than the Planning (to 2015), these projects helped shed the light on geological conditions and coal reserves.
Mr Khuat Manh Thang, Deputy General Director of Vietnam National Coal, Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin), said Vinacomin will be the lead coordinator in carrying out Amended Planning 60. He suggested seasonal planning to balance and allocate coal supply more efficiently and appropriately. He also asked Vinacomin to lead the implementation of Amended Planning 60 and proposed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to grant exploration licences, localities to ensure close collaboration, domestic and foreign specialists to advise on the carrying out of projects to achieve desired progress and high efficiency.
Mr Nguyen Khac Tho, Deputy General Director of Energy Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, proposed clearly defining the position, role and importance of Red River Delta basin in the Amended Planning 60.
Mr Ngo Son Hai, Deputy General Director of the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), said Vinacomin should supply more coal for southern areas to end coal shortage for power production.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Cao Quoc Hung stressed the Planning necessarily heads for sustainable development. With open, direct and objective opinions, contributions to the Amended Planning 60 are profound and practical.
Huong Ly
Vietnamese
