The third quarter is usually the most difficult time for coal companies, due to the impact of extreme weather conditions, many prolonged rains, and heavy rainfall. In particular, production activities at open-pit mines are affected the most, especially the handling of pumping and draining water from the pit to get coal. Despite the difficulties, the Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (TKV) still strives to flexibly manage production, with the motto of providing maximum coal for the economy, ensuring safe production during the rainy and stormy season.
Last August, due to prolonged heavy rain with rainfall exceeding forecasts, some open-pit coal mining units had to mobilize twice the number of pumps compared to last year to pump out water at the bottom of the mine. For example, at Ha Tu Coal Joint Stock Company - Vinacomin, in July and August alone, this unit had to simultaneously use 12 pumps with a capacity of 400-1,300m3 /hour to pump water from the mine. Despite great efforts, at the end of last August, Ha Tu Coal was still one of the units that failed to complete the coal output assigned by TKV.
At Deo Nai - Coc Sau Coal Joint Stock Company - TKV, a unit that has just been merged by TKV and started operating since June 26, 2024, the production lines at both mines have begun to connect synchronously. To overcome the difficult production situation during the rainy and stormy season, the unit has focused on arranging suitable equipment, synchronizing between transportation and mining; increasing the useful time of vehicles and machines; gradually connecting the information technology system in management and operation at the two mines. "Since the merger, the unit has excavated over 5.1 million m3 of earth and rock, exploiting more than 262,000 tons of coal. The unit strives to produce 2 million 750,000 tons of coal in 2024" - said Mr. Dinh Thai Binh, Deputy Director of the Company.
In the context of open-pit coal production being affected by the weather, underground mines have shared this difficulty with TKV by increasing production to compensate for the shortage of coal output.
Vang Danh Coal Joint Stock Company - Vinacomin is the largest coal producer in the Western region of Quang Ninh, with an average annual output of over 3.7 million tons of raw coal. In 2024, Vang Danh Coal was assigned 3.7 million tons of coal by TKV and dug over 41,000 new tunnel meters. At the end of the second quarter, Vang Danh Coal had exploited approximately 2 million tons of raw coal, an increase of more than 10% over the same period in 2023. Clean coal production in the first 6 months of the year also increased compared to last year, with 1.98 million tons of coal.
According to Mr. Ho Quoc, Deputy Director of the Company, to achieve these growth targets, Than Vang Danh has closely followed technical solutions, operated workshops to complete and exceed the plan set at the beginning of the year. Production areas were fully prepared from the end of last year, so the production process was continuous, favorable for coal production on schedule. Coal consumption was carried out flexibly according to market demand, with the average coal selling price reaching over 1.8 million VND/ton of coal, an increase of more than 24,000 VND/ton, thereby increasing coal sales revenue.
With the motto of creating the best conditions for production to increase labor productivity; balancing underground coal production to compensate for open-pit coal output targets; Vang Danh Coal is aiming to finish early in the third quarter plan, moving towards exceeding the 2024 production plan.
At the meeting on coal production and consumption coordination in August and the deployment of tasks for September in Quang Ninh region, Mr. Vu Van Dien, Head of the Coal Production Coordination Board - TKV said: In August 2024, the Group's raw coal output reached over 1.66 million tons, equal to 97.2% of the monthly plan, and the accumulated 8 months reached 66.7% of the annual plan. The volume of earth and rock excavation reached over 10 million m3 , equal to 101% of the monthly plan, and the accumulated 8 months reached 63% of the annual plan. The tunnel excavation target reached over 54,600m, equal to 103% of the monthly plan, and the accumulated 8 months reached 62% of the annual plan. Coal consumption output reached nearly 3 million tons, equal to 90.3% of the monthly plan; imported coal in August reached over 1.21 million tons, equal to 127% of the monthly plan.
TKV also directed mines to speed up production in September with a plan to exploit 2.66 million tons of raw coal; excavate 10.95 million m3 of earth and rock; dig 22,240m3 of tunnels; consume 3.351 million tons of coal, of which over 2.56 million tons of coal is used for electricity production. The Group also pays special attention to ensuring labor safety at units, especially proactively handling unsafe risks caused by water seeping into underground production areas. TKV leaders also assigned the Safety Board to strengthen inspections and strictly handle violations related to labor safety procedures at all affiliated units.
The third quarter is always the most difficult time for the coal and mineral mining industry, mainly due to objective factors such as extreme weather, reduced coal consumption for thermal power due to priority given to hydropower plants. However, the traditional strength of miners is to be ready to face and unite to overcome all difficulties. Therefore, with the spirit of "overcoming the sun and overcoming the rain", TKV and its units are on track to reach the production plan for the third quarter, creating momentum to successfully implement the goals and tasks of the whole year 2024, contributing to maintaining stable growth for economic sectors.
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