完善 legal framework for using mine waste and rock as landfill material.

The demand for land reclamation is increasing sharply, while mine waste dumps are becoming increasingly overloaded, necessitating the early completion of mechanisms and policies to put waste soil and rock into use, solving the environmental and material problems.

Untangling the bottleneck for backfill materials

In fact, the coal industry generates approximately 150 million cubic meters of waste rock and soil annually. If not properly treated and reused, this material not only occupies large areas of waste dumps but also poses a potential environmental safety risk, especially during the rainy and stormy season.

Meanwhile, the demand for landfill materials in infrastructure projects, industrial zones, and urban areas is increasing, creating a need to find sustainable alternative sources and reduce pressure on natural resource exploitation. Therefore, utilizing mine waste rock is not only a technical solution but also a shift in development thinking towards a circular economy .

Area containing excavated soil and rock from Cao Son Coal Company. Photo: TKV

As the largest open-pit coal mining enterprise of the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry Group, the total amount of mine waste rock at Ha Tu Coal Mine alone currently reaches approximately 400 million m³. This is a very large source of material, capable of meeting the needs for leveling for infrastructure projects, urban areas, and industrial zones in the province and neighboring localities.

In the context of increasing demand for landfill materials, utilizing mine waste rock not only helps reduce pressure on waste dumps but also opens up new avenues for the development of a circular economy in the mining industry. However, for this resource to be used effectively, a comprehensive mechanism and policies are needed, along with clear regulations on technical, environmental, and exploitation management.

Mr. Vu Anh Tuan, General Director of the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry Group (TKV), stated that, in accordance with the policies of the Central Government and Quang Ninh province, TKV has directed its member units, including Ha Tu Coal Company, to pilot the recovery of mine waste soil and rock for use as leveling material in industrial zones and processing zones, and to apply for permission to recover mine waste soil and rock during the mining process. Based on this, the unit has completed the necessary documents and received permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to recover approximately 15 million cubic meters of soil and rock generated during coal mining, with an extraction capacity of 5 million cubic meters per year for a period of 3 years.

Mr. Vu Anh Tuan emphasized that utilizing waste rock and soil not only serves for land leveling but can also be used as construction materials, thereby contributing to resource conservation and reducing social costs. However, to implement this effectively, businesses urgently need guidance and support from ministries, departments, and local authorities.

According to business surveys, the demand for waste rock and soil as backfill material is currently very high, especially in neighboring localities such as Hai Phong . Some areas are estimated to need hundreds of millions of cubic meters, with an annual consumption capacity of approximately 10 million cubic meters. If favorable mechanisms are created, utilizing mine waste rock and soil will not only reduce pressure on open-pit mine waste dumps but also open up a potential avenue for a circular economy model in the mining industry. According to regulations, to use waste rock and soil as backfill material, waste generators must obtain a recovery permit, develop an extraction and transportation plan, and fully comply with environmental protection requirements and related financial obligations.

Remove policy obstacles quickly to accelerate the development of the circular economy.

As the unit tasked with recovering, utilizing, and marketing mine waste and rock from TKV (Vietnam Coal Corporation), Quang Ninh Coal Processing Company faces numerous difficulties in implementation regarding mechanisms, procedures, and transportation infrastructure. Meanwhile, the demand for leveling materials in localities is very high. If policy and procedural obstacles are removed, utilizing mine waste and rock will not only open up potential business opportunities and reduce pressure on open-pit mine waste dumps, but also contribute to promoting a circular economy model and creating sustainable value for the mining industry.

TKV's reserves of mine waste and rock in Quang Ninh are very large. Photo: Nguyen Hung

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Truong, Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Coal Processing Company, stated: Besides using mine waste rock as leveling material, the company also produces construction materials. However, the company needs support, guidance, and favorable conditions from government ministries and agencies because, according to the amended Law on Geology and Minerals of 2025, the conditions for Group 4 and Group 3 minerals differ significantly.

“ For Group 3 minerals, businesses must fully implement exploration, reserve assessment, and environmental impact assessment steps… Meeting all these requirements under current regulations is very difficult for businesses ,” said Mr. Nguyen Hoang Truong.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Truong, it is crucial to have specific and consistent guidelines to encourage businesses to invest confidently, while also creating a stable market for this material.

In line with Quang Ninh province's policy on developing a circular economy, since 2022, the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry Group (TKV) has assigned Quang Ninh Coal Processing Company as the focal point for organizing the recovery and supply of mine waste soil and rock for land leveling projects. To date, the company has been licensed to recover waste soil and rock at the Nam Quang Loi waste dump (Coc Sau mine) to supply the Quang Ninh LNG power plant project; and has also finalized the plan and submitted it for licensing to recover and use waste soil and rock at the Suoi Lai mine waste dump (Hon Gai Coal Company) and the Mao Khe mine area.

Reportedly, Quang Ninh Coal Processing Company has established the demand for leveling materials for 39 projects, with a total estimated demand of nearly 56 million m³ for the period 2025-2028 and approximately 195 million m³ by 2034. Specifically for the leveling materials market, the company has identified the supply needs until 2034 for 35 projects in Quang Ninh province and neighboring provinces, with a total volume exceeding 174 million m³.

Simultaneously, the unit is implementing procedures to submit permits for the land and rock waste recovery plans at the Coc Sau waste dump, Ha Rang mine, and the waste dump of the Danh 2 Gold Ore Processing Plant. This will gradually expand the supply of leveling materials, meeting the needs of many key projects in the province.

It can be affirmed that the reuse of mine waste soil and rock helps the coal industry become more proactive in supplying backfill materials for large-scale infrastructure projects, while simultaneously reducing the exploitation of natural soil mines, saving costs, and limiting environmental impact. Initial results show that the cooperation between TKV and Quang Ninh province in promoting the reuse of mine waste soil and rock has been contributing to solving the problem of backfill material shortages, bringing dual benefits in terms of both economics and the environment.

Previously, at the regular meeting on March 30, the Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, Bui Van Khang, requested departments, agencies, and localities to expedite procedures for permitting the use of mine waste rock as leveling material, while focusing on removing obstacles to production, investment, logistics, and infrastructure development in the second quarter of 2026.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/hoan-thien-hanh-lang-phap-ly-cho-dat-da-thai-mo-lam-vat-lieu-san-lap-452605.html