Effective exploitation of underground 'treasures'

The northern region of Thai Nguyen province has rich mineral resources with many points and mines with large reserves. This is an important basis for the development of the mining and processing industry and supporting industries, creating significant room for local economic growth and contributing positively to the overall development of the province.

Kim An An Company Limited (in Thanh Binh Industrial Park, Thai Nguyen province) is one of the pioneering enterprises in exploiting and supplying natural quartz stone products in Vietnam. Photo: TL

Rich mineral resources

The northern region of Thai Nguyen province is famous for its valuable, diverse and potential mineral "treasures", becoming an important driving force for industrial development.

Geological survey results show that this area is located in two different geological structures, thereby forming the richest mineral resources in the Northern mountainous region. The whole region currently has more than 270 mines and mineral points with 24 types, divided into 5 groups: Fuel; metals; industrial minerals; common construction materials; and rare minerals such as precious and semi-precious stones.

In the group of metal minerals, iron ore and iron - manganese have estimated reserves of over 15 million tons. Lead - zinc accounts for the largest proportion with 77 mines, concentrated in localities such as: Cho Don, Yen Thinh, Quang Bach, Nam Cuong, Ngan Son, Thuong Quang, estimated at about 4 million tons. Antimony, although its reserves are not large, is specifically distributed in Cho Moi and Van Lang. Tin is estimated at over 2,300 tons, gold is estimated at 30-50 tons along the Bac Giang River.

In addition, white limestone, cement clay and precious stones such as ruby ​​and sapphire are scattered, adding to the unique advantages of the area.

The Ferromanganese smelting line with a capacity of 60,000 tons/year of Bac Kan Industrial Development Joint Stock Company (in Cho Don commune) has been put into operation in phase I.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, emphasized: The North of the province is an area that converges many types of minerals with high economic value, which is considered a special advantage for developing the mining and processing industry. However, the province's consistent viewpoint is to combine mining with deep processing, strict management and environmental protection. Only when that is done, this resource can truly become a driving force for sustainable development for the locality.

Invest in deep processing to increase value

Taking advantage of the available advantages, in recent years, the Northern Thai Nguyen region has attracted many projects for mining, mineral processing and construction material production. Currently, the whole region has 15 licenses for lead-zinc mining with a capacity of exploiting 292,390 tons of raw sulfide ore per year, with a total approved reserve of nearly 4 million tons. This ore source is brought into 5 lead smelters in the province with a total capacity of 26,500 tons per year.

Mining and processing output also recorded a steady growth trend. In 2021, the northern region of the province reached 7,692 tons of lead concentrate and 8,910 tons of metallic lead; in 2022, it increased to 8,072 tons of lead concentrate and 13,600 tons of metallic lead; in 2023, it reached 9,409 tons of lead concentrate and 17,173 tons of metallic lead; by 2024, it remained at 10,920 tons of lead concentrate and 12,355 tons of metallic lead. These figures show that the local mining industry has gradually shifted from raw mining to processing, aiming to increase product value.

Not stopping at meeting domestic demand, mineral processing factories in the northern Thai Nguyen region have reached out to the international market with key products such as zinc oxide powder and raw lead ingots.

Workers operate the lead-zinc ore processing line at the factory of Bac Kan Minerals Joint Stock Company.

Notably, Bac Kan Minerals Joint Stock Company exports thousands of tons of zinc oxide powder and lead ingots each year. In addition, Hoang Nam Company Limited and Asia-Europe Metals Company Limited - Bac Kan Branch export lead ingots to markets in China, Singapore, and Hong Kong, bringing in an export value of hundreds of billions of VND each year.

Mr. Cong Minh Tien, Director of Hoang Nam Co., Ltd., said: Since 2020, we have invested in a modern lead smelting line. The factory has a capacity of 5,000 tons/year and operates stably, creating jobs for more than 60 workers, contributing about 30 billion VND to the budget each year and contributing to increasing the value of local minerals.

Although there has been progress in exports, the reality shows that most mineral products are still in raw form, with low added value, becoming one of the "bottlenecks" that need to be resolved soon. The Feromangan factory of Bac Kan Industrial Development Joint Stock Company in Cho Don commune, with a capacity of 60,000 tons/year, phase 1 has been basically completed, producing 2,574 tons of pig iron and 1,368 tons of manganese-rich slag.

This is an important step in the roadmap to shift to deep processing, enhancing the value of local mineral resources. However, the Factory still faces great challenges due to unstable input materials.

Natural quartz powder production line at Kim An An Company Limited (Thanh Binh Industrial Park). Photo: TL

Mr. Vu Trung Thong, Director of Bac Kan Industrial Development Joint Stock Company, said: The Feromangan Factory with a capacity of 60,000 tons/year has been accepted and put into operation. Currently, the enterprise is selecting a contractor to supply equipment, completing documents and site to implement phase 2, expected to be put into use in the first quarter of 2028. However, the process of granting mine points and linking raw material sources with units in the region is still facing difficulties, affecting the ability to operate stably and continuously of the Factory.

Along with exploitation, environmental protection must be strictly controlled, from land reclamation, forestation to wastewater treatment. The selection of investors must have clear criteria, prioritizing units applying modern technology and committing to long-term development.

On that basis, the Northern Thai Nguyen region is oriented towards exploitation associated with environmental restoration, ensuring harmonious interests between the State, enterprises and the community. At the same time, it focuses on developing supporting industries, logistics and mineral trade to increase value, gradually reduce dependence on raw exports, thereby contributing to making Thai Nguyen rise strongly on the national economic map.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202509/khai-thac-hieu-qua-kho-bau-trong-long-dat-7a60edd/