Lao Cai: Focus on safety work and removing difficulties in the mineral sector

Promoting resource value

Lao Cai is a locality with strengths in mineral resources and has made good use of its advantages in recent times. According to statistics, this sector is currently creating jobs for about 15,000 local workers...

Information from the Department of Industry and Trade of Lao Cai province shows that the province currently has 23 mining projects licensed for exploitation by competent authorities, including: 12 apatite ore mining projects, 3 copper ore mining projects, 4 iron ore mining projects, 2 graphite ore mining projects, 1 serpentine ore mining project and 1 hot mineral water mining project.

Lao Cai province focuses on labor safety and removing difficulties in the mineral sector. Photo: THLC

Regarding mineral management, for apatite ore mining and processing projects, there are currently 7 mining sites and type III ore storage facilities operating stably; 2 mining sites are carrying out basic construction of the mines... There are 2 type III apatite ore processing plants operating stably, of which Cam Duong Processing Plant is crushing type II ore.

Regarding copper ore mining and processing projects, there are currently 3 copper mining projects operating stably. Regarding iron ore mining and processing projects, there is currently 1 mine operating stably (Kip Tuoc mine); 1 mine operating at a standstill (Tac Ai) due to the near-exhaustion of permitted reserves; 2 mines are temporarily suspended...

With mineral deep processing projects, Lao Cai province currently has 9 chemical production units with a total capacity of: 117 thousand tons of yellow phosphorus, 944 thousand tons of sulfuric acid, 260 thousand tons of extracted phosphoric acid, 27 thousand tons of food acid, 60,000 tons of electronic acid and 3,000 tons of red phosphorus.

In addition, Lao Cai also has 5 inorganic fertilizer factories, with output exceeding 1 million tons in 2024. Regarding metallurgical projects, there are currently 2 copper smelting factories with a designed capacity of 30 thousand tons of copper cathode/year and silver and gold products. After 2 weeks of reopening the furnace, Lao Cai Iron and Steel Factory has produced 2.1 thousand tons of pig iron and 4,780 tons of steel billets.

Regarding chemical and environmental management, explosives management in mineral exploitation activities, according to Lao Cai Department of Industry and Trade, in recent times, the production and business activities of chemical and fertilizer production units have basically complied with the provisions of law on labor safety, chemical safety and environmental protection.

Regarding the management of industrial explosives, licensed units basically strictly comply with regulations on industrial explosives; use industrial explosives of the correct type announced and permitted for use by the Ministry of Industry and Trade .

Removing difficulties for mineral exploitation projects

Despite the advantages and foundation in the field of mining industry development, recently, Lao Cai's mineral exploitation and processing sector has also faced difficulties.

Specifically, difficulties come from many sides such as: overlapping planning work, problems in site clearance; subjectivity of some businesses about financial capacity, production processes leading to incidents...

Faced with that situation, Lao Cai province recently held a conference between representatives of departments, branches, and mineral exploitation and processing enterprises to remove difficulties.

At the conference, Mr. Hoang Chi Hien - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Lao Cai province - informed about the current situation and some difficulties of enterprises in the mineral sector.

Accordingly, in 2024, the value of mineral production, exploitation and processing in Lao Cai will reach VND 27,883 billion, accounting for 61% of the total industrial production value of the province. In the first 4 months of 2025, the value of mineral production, exploitation and processing will reach VND 9,527 billion, equivalent to 16% of the annual plan; the mineral exploitation and processing industry is creating jobs for about 15,000 workers.

Regarding difficulties and obstacles, the main causes cited are overlapping planning, obstacles in site clearance, and difficulties from the subjectivity of some businesses, such as: limited financial capacity, production processes leading to incidents, affecting the environment, and having to temporarily stop production to fix the problem.

According to Vice Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Sinh, the province and its departments and branches will focus on directing the removal of obstacles for each project, production facility and specific enterprise. At the same time, it is recommended that enterprises promote proactiveness, work with localities and branches to resolve difficulties and problems with many flexible solutions; avoid waiting and relying entirely on local authorities, which affects production progress.

Linh Nhi

Source: https://congthuong.vn/lao-cai-tap-trung-cong-toc-an-toan-va-thao-go-kho-khan-linh-vuc-khoang-san-387501.html