Conquering challenging terrain

In early October, a colleague from the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry Group introduced me to the Group's most unique mining sites. We were most impressed and decided to visit Dong Ri.

FAF — A view of the Dong Ri coal mine, where a coal conveyor system sits amidst the green of the mountains and forests, transporting coal directly to the Son Dong Thermal Power Plant.

Pioneering conquest

Remote location, poor quality coal... these are some of the characteristics of the Dong Ri mine in Son Dong district, Bac Giang province. The mine is managed by the Company. 45-Northeast Corporation. Mine Located near the Yen Tu coal region and furthest from the Corporation's central operations center, it is nevertheless the place where generations of officials and engineers from the Quang Ninh mining region have marched to conquer. After contacting the company and receiving guidance from Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Luong, Head of the Political Department, we planned a visit to the mine. Lieutenant Colonel Luong even carefully warned us: "The forest roads are very difficult to navigate!"

Early the next morning, in just about 50 minutes, we traveled from Ha Long through Tan Dan commune (Ha Long City) to the border with Bac Giang province to reach Dong Ri (Tay Yen Tu town, Son Dong district, Bac Giang province). The journey was so smooth that I immediately forgot Luong's warning. To avoid Ha My Pass, we followed the Dong Ri mine's transport route, parallel to Ha My Pass, to get to Dong Ri. After Tan Dan, the vehicle went through the forest. The pickup truck began to strain, climbing hills, descending passes, navigating winding slopes and dams overflowing with floodwater up to the exhaust pipe. After an hour of winding roads, climbing mountains and crossing streams, we finally arrived in Dong Ri.

We were greeted by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tuan, Secretary of the Company's Party Committee, who has been associated with Dong Ri for many years. Lieutenant Colonel Tuan recounted: The company was originally a unit under the Ministry of National Defense. After several name changes, in September 2019, the company was established under the new name Company 45 (Branchise of the Northeast Corporation).

Dong Ri was originally a remote, rugged area with poor quality coal. The road we just traveled was the coal transport route of the mine. About 20 years ago, Dong Ri was a large mine but faced many difficulties: difficulties with electricity, roads, located deep in the forest and mountains, and the geological conditions were among the most challenging in the coal industry. Perhaps, too many difficulties surrounded it, making many units inside and outside the Ministry of National Defense hesitant to take over. Not to mention the large mining area, the dispersed forces, the rudimentary equipment, and the rampant theft of resources… all of which were widespread problems in coal-producing regions at that time.

FAF — Providing safety equipment and protective gear ensures workers can work with peace of mind in Dong Ri.

Amidst those numerous difficulties, Dong Ri was assigned to Company 45. One of the pioneering "heroes" who went to Dong Ri was Lieutenant Colonel Le Toan, who had experience in many notorious illegal coal mining "battlefields" in Quang Ninh such as Ha Rang and Cam Pha during the intense years of 1988.

At that time, Dong Ri was like a "black gold mine," seemingly easily forgotten and beyond the reach of conquest. "Dong Ri was located deep in the forest, extremely difficult to access, and my soldiers and engineers were very young and inexperienced. I remember the first time I went into the mine from Hoanh Bo in a powerful UAZ vehicle; it took from early morning until 12 noon to get there, and I broke out in a cold sweat," Lieutenant Colonel Toan recounted.

Not only Lieutenant Colonel Toan, but also Colonel Nguyen Van Luong (Head of the Occupational Safety and Health Department) and other pioneers clearly remember the difficult circumstances. At that time, electricity for production was from generators, and the transportation routes were dilapidated forest roads, slippery with clay and riddled with potholes… making coal mining and transportation extremely difficult. But in the face of these difficulties, Lieutenant Colonel Toan prioritized road repairs; intensified coal screening right at the mine entrance, and improved coal quality… After half a year of road construction and more than a year of improving coal quality, along with countless efforts, production began to flourish and become profitable. Thus, in the face of so many difficulties, previous generations like Lieutenant Colonel Toan and Colonel Luong initially found a solution for the "black gold mine" deep in the forest.

Empowering and reviving disadvantaged areas.

From the company office, pointing out an overview of the nearby mining site, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tuan said: "Achieving such a beautiful and tidy appearance is the result of a whole process of creativity, careful investment in machinery and technology, and the multiplied enthusiasm of the engineers."

Indeed, following in the footsteps of generations, the engineers and miners here have dedicated their knowledge and youth to transforming Dong Ri from its humble beginnings. Perhaps, coming from impoverished backgrounds, Dong Ri is the place that makes the best use of its exploitable resources, and values its people and machinery the most.

FAF — Machinery and technology used in mining operations in Dong Ri.

Instead of relying on manual labor to push mine carts, "scooping by hand, turning by side," it's evident that during the period of 2006-2015, the company underwent significant changes, accelerating the progress of the mine project and increasing its capacity to serve the Son Dong Thermal Power Plant. Besides changes in its operating model, the company focused on investing in equipment. From rudimentary mining, Dong Ri invested hundreds of billions of dong in modern mining equipment, such as mobile hydraulic supports and reversible ventilation systems to improve the working environment.

The main highlight is the application of modern technology such as: the use of ZRY mobile hydraulic support systems, modern ZH frame linkages; in-mine excavators, curved conveyors; and continuous conveyor belts to increase underground coal productivity... As a result, recently the company has not only met the production output for thermal power plants but also exceeded the plan by 1-5%, "filtering" and upgrading low-grade coal to grade 5. The average income of more than 1,400 workers has continuously improved over the past 2-3 years, increasing from 15-21 million VND/month to the current level, with an average increase of 2-6% per year.

Youthful energy explores the deeper layers.

Taking us down to the mining site, young engineer Han Cong Viet (from the Technical and Environmental Department), a man from Phu Tho province around 40 years old, who has been involved since the mine project began, has dedicated nearly 20 years of his youth to Dong Ri. He recounted: Dong Ri is known for its complex geological conditions; conquering the faults, breaks, and coal seams, as well as restoring the area and ensuring safety and environmental hygiene, requires a great deal of effort.

Along with the machinery, generations of engineers here have dedicated their youth and energy to laying the foundation for technological development. These are the pioneers who have been involved with the mine project from the very beginning, focusing on researching the notoriously complex geological layers, conquering faults, fractures, and continuously collapsing or shrinking seams through innovative technical improvements.

Viet confided that, initially, he went to a remote, isolated place with no communication, but the company always cared about training, providing learning opportunities, increasing his salary, and encouraging him. Now, Dong Ri has become like blood and flesh to Viet.

FAF — Vietnamese engineers are overseeing the Đồng Rì mine reclamation area, ensuring environmental hygiene for production purposes.

Arriving at the mine's equipment control room on the underground mining site, we met Mr. Hoang The Quyen, a technician (Worksite 8). Mr. Quyen has been with the mine since its early days (2008). Farming and forestry weren't enough to support his large family of two generations, including his grandparents, wife, and three children. Then the company announced recruitment and free vocational training. He initially thought he would only be with the mine for five years as per the agreement. But it's been almost 20 years.

“The work was initially hard, but now it’s easier as more and more machines have replaced manual labor. Workers, who used to push coal carts and walk, now use hoists to move coal down into the mine and conveyor belts. Our work as operators has also become much lighter.” According to Quyen, his salary has increased from a few million dong to 15-17 million dong per month and could rise even higher depending on production volume.

FAF — Like other young engineers, Quyen also dedicated his youth to contributing to the transformation of Dong Ri.

For workers from distant areas, they are provided with spacious collective housing built at a cost of over 100 billion VND, with everything from beds, wardrobes, tables and chairs... to trash cans. For those living near the company, transportation is arranged so they can return home to their families after their shifts. This is already very good for the local people, who previously only knew how to rely on the forest for their livelihood.

The stories of Quyen and Viet, and also the thoughts and aspirations of many young engineers and local workers, are the "glue" that binds them to Dong Ri. Many have been able to support their families, save money to build houses, send their children to school, and improve their lives thanks to their connection with the mine.

Leaving Dong Ri, I still remember the words of the young engineers, as well as the expectations of pioneers like Lieutenant Colonel Toan: Deep within this land, there are still many coal veins, with vast reserves and excellent quality coal. One day, technology and youthful energy will unlock the full potential that lies dormant in Dong Ri.

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