Protecting the urban mining environment

Quang Ninh is one of the few localities with urban development right on the coal mining industry - an important economic sector but also puts a lot of pressure on environmental protection. The Coal Industry has been implementing many synchronous solutions; the goal is not only to meet legal standards, but also to preserve green and sustainable living space for the mining urban area.

Staff of Coal Selection Workshop 3 (Cua Ong Coal Selection Company - TKV) operate the washing pump system.

As the largest coal consumer and processor in the coal industry, with more than 10 million tons of coal per year, Cua Ong Coal Selection Company is under considerable pressure to ensure the environment. In recent years, changes are being realized from within each workshop. Coal Selection 3, one of the Company's workshops with high operating intensity, receives and processes thousands of tons of raw coal every day. Mr. To Kim Thao, Deputy Workshop Manager shared: The workshop is equipped with spraying systems, dust suppression vehicles, concreted the entire surface; installed mist spraying pump systems, and surface cleaning, thereby minimizing dust emitted into the environment. Along with that, there is an investment in a system to clean the wagons of all layers of coal deposits, so that dust is not emitted during transportation, meeting the needs of environmental protection.

Cua Ong Coal Selection Company determined that if it wanted to develop long-term in the heart of the city, production must be clean from the root. The company has implemented many synchronous solutions in each production stage. Notably, the high-pressure misting system is installed at dust-dispersing points, such as pouring chutes and conveyor belts; the coal conveyor belt is completely covered to limit dust from flying out; wastewater generated during the coal washing process is collected in the central settling tank, treated to meet standards before being reused in circulation. The company also focuses on landscape improvement, anti-dust paving, planting trees, and investing in additional noise reduction equipment. Thereby, it not only helps reduce emissions, meets environmental standards but also contributes to building the image of a "cleaner, greener" coal selection plant, in harmony with the surrounding urban space.

At Hon Gai Coal Company, the Ha Rang open-pit mine officially stopped operating in 2020 and was included in the long-term restoration plan. After only a few years, what used to be a bare, deep hole is now covered with green trees, the ground is stable, the drainage system is complete, and fences are installed according to regulations. The appearance of the old coal area has changed significantly, there is no more dust, no more risk of landslides during the rainy season.

The restoration activities are implemented synchronously by Hon Gai Coal Company in many waste dump areas, mining pits and old transport routes. Every year, dozens of hectares of land after mining are renovated and covered with green; combined with soil treatment, drainage ditches, slopes to prevent landslides and long-term tree maintenance. At the same time, the Company continues to control dust, wastewater, noise and improve the landscape in production areas, minimizing impacts on residential areas.

Industrial wastewater treatment system at TKV Environment Company Limited

With the scale of exploiting tens of millions of tons of coal each year, operating in many localities, mostly in urban areas or bordering residential areas, the Coal industry always faces great environmental pressure. TKV identifies environmental protection as a key factor in the sustainable development strategy, associated with each project and each production stage.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Chuyen, Deputy Head of TKV Environment Department, said: Up to now, the Group has planted green cover on over 2,000 hectares; built, managed and stably operated 45 underground and open-pit wastewater treatment stations to ensure environmental standards; invested in over 128 high-pressure dust suppression misting machines, 167 road watering trucks. Thereby, annually treating 140-150 million m3 ^of mine wastewater, treating over 3,700 tons of hazardous waste. In the first 6 months of 2025, Coal industry units have treated over 49 million m3 ^of mine wastewater, collected and treated nearly 2,000 tons of hazardous waste, restored and planted trees on 99 hectares of land after mining.

Ngo Diu

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/bao-ve-moi-truong-do-thi-mo-3368487.html