Vietnam will test exploit the Red River coal basin before 2040

The Red River coal basin will be exploited on a trial basis before 2040, moving towards industrial scale before 2050, according to the plan approved by the Prime Minister.

According to the coal industry development strategy approved by the Prime Minister on January 16, Vietnam aims to seek domestic and foreign partners to research investment, select technology, and methods for exploring the Red River coal basin by 2030. Partial exploration and investigation and assessment of the Red River coal basin will be completed within the next 15 years.

Some research topics and projects on experimental exploitation in the Red River coal basin will be invested in, in order to select appropriate technology.

According to the Vietnam Minerals Department, if calculated at a depth of 3,500 m, the total reserves of the Red River coal mine are up to 210 billion tons, 20 times larger than the mine in Quang Ninh, of which 90% is located in Thai Binh. Since 2009, the Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (TKV) has signed technology transfer contracts with a number of countries to test exploit the Red River coal mine.

The Prime Minister's 2016 plan sets a target of investing in a number of pilot projects using underground mining methods and coal gasification technology in explored areas after 2021, as a basis for investing in the development of the Red River coal mine on an industrial scale, or implementing a number of pilot projects to select appropriate mining methods and technologies.

However, some scientists are concerned that the process of coal mining in the Red River region will lead to the risk of chain subsidence, causing the entire area to be flooded with salt.

Red River flowing through Hanoi. Photo: Ngoc Thanh — Red River flowing through Hanoi. Photo: *Ngoc Thanh*

According to the Prime Minister's recent planning, Vietnam strives to reach commercial coal output of 45-50 million tons (excluding peat) by 2030, then decrease by 7-10 million tons in the next 15 years.

Localities with small coal reserves are encouraged to exploit them to meet local needs. Peat is focused on as fuel and fertilizer for agriculture and forestry. Large coal mines are exploited according to the criteria of green, modern, high output, safety, sustainability and economy.

To achieve the above objectives, Vietnam will renovate existing screening plants and coal processing centers. Centralized screening plants will be built in each area to process coal.

Coal for electricity production is a combination of domestic production and import in order to maximize variety; promote science and technology to protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The coal market is formed with many sellers, many buyers, diverse sources (domestic production, blending, import) and supply points. Vietnam strives to operate a fully competitive coal market in all segments after 2030.

Coal export and import are operated in accordance with market demand, ensuring maximum demand, especially for electricity production. Coal reserves are also considered.

Viet Tuan

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