Vietnam, Japan Discuss Coal Policy

The Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) and Japanese partners April 26 held talks on the country’s coal policy and reviewed the two countries bilateral cooperation in the field in the northern province of Quang Ninh’s Ha Long city.

 

The talks, which have been held for the second time so far, focused on cooperative results in coal exploitation projects including the “coal exploitation technology project”, “300-m-depth coal exploration projects at the Khe Cham, Khe Tam, Hon Gai, Uong Bi coal mines in the Quang Ninh’s coal field, and the “natural gas management center”.

 

At the talks, Vinacomin introduced Vietnam’s policies on coal and related matters including coal utilization and supply for prioritized thermo-power plants adjacent to coal mines and the promotion of high-quality coal exports to major markets such as Japan.

 

The group meanwhile proposed the Japanese side to carry out a number of projects on coal information channels, technology transfer for production of clean coal, CH₄ collection and use, and coal mining while enhancing the capacity of mine rescue centers. Japanese counterparts said that they hoped to join with the Vietnamese side in these projects.

 

Vietnam and Japan have been cooperating effectively over the past eight years to expand the country’s coal industry, which has developed markedly and exported coal to many countries.

 

Last year, Vinacomin excavated some 31.4 million tons of coal, including 14.7 million tons for export.

 

Vietnam’s coal exports will increase to about 40-55 million tons by 2010 and to 65-70 million tons by 2025.