The abundant coal resources in Tonkin were explored and exploited by the French from the end of the 19th century and quickly became an important source of revenue for the colonial government. Le Petit Niçois newspaper tells us more about the exploitation and trade of this commodity in the 1920s.
The abundant coal resources in Tonkin were explored and exploited by the French from the end of the 19th century and quickly became an important source of revenue for the colonial government. The newspaper Le Petit Niçois tells us more about the exploitation and trade of this commodity in the 1920s. [1]
Map of mineral deposits in Bac Ky, source: TTLTQGI
The coal mines of Tonkin created a huge fortune for Indochina, with endless resources.
The first people to discover this wonderful source of coal in Ha Long Bay in 1865 and start exploiting it were the Chinese.
But it was the serious and decisive explorations of Fuch in 1882 and of Sarran in 1886 that really attracted the attention of French industrialists.
As early as 1884, mining operations were launched, and although the beginning was difficult due to lack of output, success eventually came.
Up to now [1928 - ND], the Ha Long and Dong Trieu coal mines have become the mines with the largest reserves, developing in an arc shape from the East of Mong Cai Sub-region to the West of Pha Lai, 180km long, with a total area of about 23,000 hectares.
Open-pit coal mine in Hon Gai, source: TTLTQGI
Obviously, the abundant underground wealth of Indochina has led to an increasing number of applications for exploration.
The number of applications for mining concessions effective from 1 January 1927 amounted to 3,424. Regarding fuel, there were 91 applications for coal concessions of all kinds (lean coal, bituminous coal [fat coal] or sub-bituminous coal and brown coal) on an area of 134,674 hectares.
The coal mining area in Ha Long Bay enjoys a prime location. Almost everywhere, mining is done outdoors, in stages.
The beds are grouped into two formations: the Ha Tu Formation and the Nagotna Formation. The first formation benefits from 4 beds, one of which is called the Big Bed. We found this bed in Cam Pha with a useful fuel thickness of 150 m.
A 13 km railway line has been established to transport coal to Hon Gai. In some other mines such as Nga Hai and Mong Duong, the on-site screening products are directly delivered to customers or stored at Hon Gai port, with perfect equipment.
Coal transportation in Hon Gai, source: TTLTQGI
The Ke Bao mine was licensed in 1888 and produced abundant lean coal. The Dong Trieu mine, located on two high mountain ranges of the same name and separated from the Ky River basin, contains many layers of anthracite coal. Bituminous coal was found in the Phan Me mine, known since 1910, while sub-bituminous coal was mined in Phu Nho Quan and Chi Ne.
In Tonkin there are also many small Tertiary brown coal mines. The main mining areas such as Dong Giao, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Lang Son, Cao Bang and Dong Ho were newly licensed since the end of 1920 and have extremely abundant reserves.
Total coal production in Indochina increased from 700,000 tons in 1920 to 1,363,000 tons in 1925 before falling to 73,000 tons in 1926. However, in 1926, coal sales and exports increased sharply, from 668,100 tons in 1925 to 857,000 tons in 1926. In 1925 alone, the amount of coal mined exceeded 180,000 tons.
Thin coal - Ha Long Bay coal mining area, from Ke Bao to Courbet port, with two mines (the other two are temporarily suspended) yielded 887,781 tons, worth 115,670,000 francs.
The Dong Trieu coal mining area, from the port of Courbet to Dong Trieu, exploited from its numerous mines 358,851 tons, worth 38,162,000 francs, plus 280,000 tons from the Nong Son coal mine (Central Vietnam).
Thus, the total lean coal output is 1,246,632 tons, worth 153,832,000 francs.
Bituminous and sub-bituminous coal - The Phan Me, Chi Ne and Phu Nho Quan mines provided 38,029 tons of fuel, worth 6,674,000 francs.
Brown coal - Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Dong Ho, Dong Giao mining areas yielded 5,598 tons, worth 827,000 francs.
Of this total, up to 1926, 710,193 tons of lean coal were exported directly to foreign countries, with a value of 78,760,000 francs.
Ta Sa Metallurgical Factory, Tinh Tuc, Cao Bang of the Northern Tin and Tungsten Company, source: TTLTQGI
As we can see, Indochina is a major exporter of minerals as well as coal briquettes. The main importers are Hong Kong, China, Japan, the Philippines, Siam, Singapore, the British East Indies, Canton Loan, France, Belgium and the French colonies.
If we compare the export turnover of the first quarter of 1927 with the same period of the previous year, it can be seen that the decrease we have mentioned above was only temporary. In fact, the amount of raw coal exported in the first quarter of 1927 was recorded at 207,532 tons compared to 171,109 in 1926, and briquetted coal marked a good recovery with 11,728 tons instead of 8,693 tons.
Regarding surplus production, in 1926, Bac Ky alone consumed up to 400,000 tons of fuel to serve sea and river transport, railways, industries, etc.
These excellent results are a valuable source of encouragement for the concessionaires. Everywhere they are actively improving equipment, increasing capital and exploring new ore deposits.
In addition, they are improving mining methods, establishing offshore facilities, and constantly expanding the road system, by extending railway lines, or modernizing ports. As we see in this article, opportunities are wide open.
Favorable conditions for exploitation created conditions for most of the Indochinese mines, and competition with rivals became easier, ensuring this great Asian colony a preeminent role in industrial markets.
(Cut from Le Petit Niçois newspaper, March 7, 1928, file 5134, Government Office of Indochina, preserved at the National Archives).
Source: https://danviet.vn/than-da-o-quang-ninh-cua-viet-nam-phat-hien-khai-thac-tu-bao-gio-toan-canh-mo-than-bac-ky-2024111515121649.htm
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