Technology innovation and modernization: The inevitable direction of the mining industry

(Chinhphu.vn) - In the context of the world's mining technology rapidly shifting to the smart mining model, Vietnam faces an urgent need to modernize mining and processing activities.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Manh Dac, General Secretary of the Vietnam Mining Science and Technology Association: World mining technology is changing very rapidly, moving towards digital mining models, smart mining, integrating automation at a high level.

At the seminar "Innovation and modernization of technology in the mining industry" organized by Industry and Trade Magazine on the morning of November 14, experts and representatives of management agencies emphasized strategic solutions for the mining industry to enter a greener, safer and more efficient development phase.

The mining industry needs to enter a period of strong modernization.

Assessing the current situation, Associate Professor Dr. Phung Manh Dac, General Secretary of the Vietnam Mining Science and Technology Association, said that the world's mining technology is changing very quickly, moving towards digital mining models, smart mining, integrating automation at a high level. Meanwhile, Vietnam is in a transitional phase with some open-pit mines at the same level as those of advanced countries, but underground mining is still limited in terms of mechanization.

He said that over the past 10 years, the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Group (TKV) has made strong progress thanks to two major projects on automation, mechanization, information technology and digital transformation.

Digital transformation in mine management has also made significant progress, such as digitizing operations to control people entering the mine, shift handovers, meetings or resource management. These results show that the industry can absolutely go further if it continues to promote technological innovation in the next 5-10 years.

Dr. Dao Duy Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ): Technological innovation is an important condition to help the industry increase labor productivity, reduce raw material and fuel consumption, improve competitiveness and contribute to the goal of net zero emissions.

From the perspective of state management, Dr. Dao Duy Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade), emphasized that this is a consistent policy of the Government. He said that technological innovation is an important condition to help the industry increase labor productivity, reduce fuel consumption, improve competitiveness and contribute to the goal of net zero emissions.

"The three major groups of solutions that the Ministry of Industry and Trade will prioritize in the coming period are: Upgrading technology and equipment; perfecting policies in a flexible direction, suitable for business types; and promoting research and international cooperation to quickly receive advanced technology," Mr. Dao Duy Anh stated.

Many new research directions open up green development opportunities in mining.

Representative of the Institute of Biomaterials and Environment, Associate Professor, Dr. Senior Colonel La Duc Duong said that the Institute is focusing on researching three main groups: Minerals - green materials; clean energy and chemicals to enhance oil and gas recovery.

Notably, the research on utilizing waste slag to create pure TiO₂ materials, along with adsorbent materials for treating heavy metals, has been patented. The Institute also developed spherical graphite materials for Li-ion batteries and established a pilot production line for products serving the energy storage sector.

Associate Professor, Dr. Lieutenant Colonel La Duc Duong: Enterprises implementing new technology are facing three groups of difficulties: Complex mine conditions; large investment costs for pilots and industrial chains; and risks in the operating environment.

For oil and gas, the Institute has developed a group of hydrophilic-hydrophobic polymer products to increase oil recovery. Practical tests in Cuu Long and Nam Con Son showed an improvement of 5-12% in oil recovery and a reduction of water extraction by 10-20%.

However, according to Mr. La Duc Duong, businesses implementing new technology are facing three groups of difficulties: Complex mine conditions; large investment costs for pilots and industrial chains; and risks in the operating environment.

"Support mechanisms need to be clearer and more encouraging, from trial funding funds, tax incentives for new equipment to intellectual property protection regulations," Mr. La Duc Duong proposed.

Proposing solutions, Associate Professor Dr. Phung Manh Dac said that the industry needs to accelerate digital transformation and automation; apply electric battery and fuel cell transportation instead of diesel; expand underground mining mechanization and use slope conveyor belts for mines down to -300 m. These solutions not only reduce resource loss but also significantly improve safety conditions and mining efficiency.

Dr. Dao Duy Anh emphasized that it is necessary to continue to improve science and technology infrastructure, promote cooperation between research institutes and enterprises, and build a synchronous mechanism to encourage innovation. "If done well, the Vietnamese mining industry can completely enter a greener, smarter and more sustainable development phase in the coming years," Mr. Dao Duy Anh affirmed.

Anh Tho

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/doi-moi-va-hien-dai-hoa-cong-nghe-huong-di-tat-yeu-cua-nganh-khai-khoang-102251114154247896.htm