Clean coal amount to reach 48-50 million tons by 2010

On July 7, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung signed decision 89/2008/QĐ-TTg to approve the development plan for Vietnam’s coal sector till 2015, with a view to 2025, with the aim to reach a clean coal amount of 48-50 million tons by 2010.

The coal sector will become a developed industry with high competitiveness, modern technology in exploratory, exploitation, sort-out, processing and using, being capable to meet domestic demand and ensure energy security.

The Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group is scheduled to explore and complete assessments on minerals under -300 meters depth of the north west (Dong Bac) coal basin, explore a part of minerals in the Red River Delta coal basin and carry out pilot projects in this coal basin.

The decision also pointed out that operation of the coal sector will move to market mechanism and integrate into the regional and international market under state’s control. Coal price will be specified with market mechanism. The state will adjust coal price through law policy and other management tools. (Lao Dong)