Quang Ninh closes coal mines
HA NOI (VNS)— Authorities in the northern province of Quang Ninh will close 20 coal mining projects by 2015 and another 28 in the 2016-20 period, all in the three basins of Uong Bi, Hon Gai and Cam Pha.
The announcement was made at a conference in Ha Long City on Tuesday jointly held by the provincial People’s Committee, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Viet Nam Coal and Mineral Industries Group.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Le Duong Quang said that the plan should follow the coal sector’s development strategy, which was approved by the Prime Minister in January 2012.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Do Thong added that the plan must also ensure national energy security, meet socio-economic, environmental and technical requirements, fit the province’s development plan and maintain stable jobs for more than 10,000 local miners.
The coal reserves in the three basins now total about 8.6 billion tonnes.-VNS