Vietnam Starts First Copper Mining and Processing Complex

The Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) on April 14 put into operation the Sin Quyen Copper Complex – Vietnam’s first copper mining and processing complex - in the northwestern province of Lao Cai.

 

The construction of the project, which began in September 2003, costs a total investment of VND1.3 trillion (US$81.3 million), including US$40.5 million from the Chinese government and the remainder from state funds, a Vinacomin official said. 

 

The complex is expected to produce 1.1-1.2 million tons of copper ore per year, which would be smelted to make 41,700 tons of pure copper. The complex will also produce 113,000 tons of iron ore, 40,000 tons of sulphuric acid, 19,600 tons of pyritic ore, and 341kg of gold each year.

The official said the copper output of the complex could meet half of the annual domestic demand, saving millions of dollars on imports. The copper is also intended to support other industries, including steel casting in northern Thai Nguyen province and phosphate fertilizer production in northern Phu Tho province.

 

Lao Cai is about 375km northwest of Hanoi. It shares a 203km border with China’s Yunnan province. The area has abundant natural resources, particularly apatite, copper and iron deposits, and materials for ceramics and glass production.