Investment in expanding Ha Rang mine - new driving force for the coal industry

On August 19, the Ha Rang mine expansion underground mining project (Hon Gai Coal Company) officially started. This is not only a key project chosen by the Government to launch simultaneously on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, but also has special significance for the coal industry development strategy, contributing to ensuring national energy security and creating stable jobs for many workers.

Production area of Ha Rang mine (Hon Gai Coal Company).

Hon Gai Coal Company is a unit with more than 70 years of experience in coal mining under the Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (TKV). On average, the Company produces 2 - 2.3 million tons of coal each year, creating stable jobs for about 4,200 officers and employees. Since the beginning of 2023, the Company has completely switched to underground mining, focusing on investing in projects in accordance with the National Energy Master Plan, while simultaneously implementing the closure and environmental restoration of open-pit mines that have been completed.

After completing the exploitation of the +50 to -100 layers, from July 1, 2020, TKV handed over the Ha Rang mine (formerly belonging to Ha Long Coal Company) to the Hon Gai Coal Company for management and continued exploitation. According to Decision No. 893/QD-TTg dated July 26, 2023 of the Prime Minister, the Ha Rang mine area needs to be invested in expanding exploitation in the period of 2021-2030. The project's objective is to effectively exploit the explored reserves, maintain stable output, meet the coal demand of the economy , and at the same time ensure jobs and income for workers.

On that basis, Hon Gai Coal Company has proactively completed legal and technical procedures step by step, creating momentum to accelerate the implementation of the Ha Rang mine expansion underground mining project. Accordingly, the project scale has an industrial reserve of 8.93 million tons of clean coal, the converted raw coal volume is 11.85 million tons; mining capacity is 900,000 tons/year; mine age is 17 years. Total investment is 1,413 billion VND; mining depth is -50 to -250.

Workers of Hon Gai Coal Company dig tunnels for basic construction at Ha Rang mine area.

Investment preparation work was initiated by the unit in November 2020, under the close direction of TKV and the active support of local authorities. This project has gone through many important approval steps. Typically, in early January 2024, the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province issued a decision approving the investment policy. Next, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment approved the environmental impact assessment report in Decision No. 1541/QD-BTNMT dated June 7, 2024 and issued the Mineral Exploitation License No. 154/GP-BTNMT dated May 27, 2025. This is an important legal basis, creating favorable conditions for the project to speed up procedures and start construction soon on schedule.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Dang, Deputy Director of Hon Gai Coal Company, said: The Ha Rang Mine Expansion Underground Mining Project, which is being implemented at this time, is of particular importance in the Company's development strategy. The seam opening work will be carried out by inclined shafts combined with seam penetration, applying a long column mining system along the direction and modern mechanized technologies, supporting the longwall with a mobile frame or soft frame, depending on geological conditions. It is expected that in the first quarter of 2028, the first longwall will be put into operation. After being put into operation, the Ha Rang Mine Expansion Underground Mining Project is expected to contribute nearly 40% of the Company's total raw coal output, while focusing on ensuring safety, protecting the environment and optimizing production costs.

To realize that goal, the unit will synchronously deploy solutions on technology, environment and existing infrastructure. All mined coal will be transported by a covered conveyor system, applying maximum automation. The company invests in a mine wastewater treatment system with a capacity of 900m³/hour, ensuring that wastewater meets standards before being discharged into the environment. At the same time, it will take advantage of existing infrastructure such as the operator's house, laundry room, conveyor system, tunnel and equipment from the previous Ha Rang mine operation center.

Workers of Hon Gai Coal Company install a dual-carriage ship control system to transport materials at Ha Rang mine.

Mr. Nhu Van Luc, Head of the Center, Mine Manager of Ha Rang area, said: Currently, the unit is assigned by the Company to construct important items of the project. We have fully prepared the necessary conditions to speed up the progress, focusing on human resources and machinery to implement basic construction tunnel excavation at 3 tunnel mirrors, striving to achieve an average of 180 to 200 meters of new tunnel/month. The implementation of the project not only contributes significantly to the overall progress, but also creates more jobs and increases income for workers.

With careful and synchronous preparation from legal procedures, mining technology, environmental solutions to resource mobilization, the Ha Rang mine expansion underground mining project not only opens up a direction for modern, safe, and environmentally friendly coal mining, but also contributes to improving the production capacity of Hon Gai Coal Company in the coming period.

Pham Tang

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dau-tu-mo-rong-mo-ha-rang-dong-luc-moi-cho-nganh-than-3372079.html