Vietnam riding the coal gravy train
HANOI - Vietnam's coal exports are expected to hit an all-time high of
4 million tonnes this year, for a revenue of about VND5,500 billion
(US$366 million). This is an encouraging sign for the industry, with
experts forecasting that exports will remain stable for the next four of five
years.
Japan, Thailand and Europe are expected to buy 1.3 million, 800,000
and over 600,000 tonnes of coal respectively each year during this
period.
"Never before has the coal industry exported such a big volume of coal
as this year," said Doan Van Kien, general director of the Vietnam Coal
Corporation (Vinacoal). He noted that by the end of October, more than
3.4 million tonnes of coal had been exported, putting the year's target of
4 million tonnes well within reach.
Coal miners have since the beginning of the year moved 36.79 million
cubic meters of earth and stone and built nearly 69 kilometers of coal
pits, up by 39 percent and 22 percent respectively over the
corresponding period last year.
Coal products of Vietnam have sold well of late in regional and
international markets. Thailand has raised its import of Vietnamese coal
from 100,000 tonnes in 1998 to nearly 1 million tonnes this year. Japan,
the Philippines, Bulgaria and some Western Europe countries are among
other major importers.
The success has been attributed to strenuous efforts taken by the industry
to apply advanced technologies in coal extraction and in exploring
overseas markets for exports. "Our wide range of products, timely and
secure delivery and convenient methods of payment have satisfied foreign
customers' demands," Kien said.
The industry has invested in modern machinery and equipment, including
mine supporter systems, coal belt conveyors, excavators, lorries and
dump trucks. "This has helped raise labor productivity and coal output
while protecting the environment," Kien said.
He pointed to the reorganization of production and staff streamlining as
being the two major factors behind the industry's achievements. Miners
are now given specific tasks and their salaries are based on the volume of
work done, he noted.
The coal industry boasts nearly 80,000 workers and administrative
employees with an average monthly income of VND1.3 million per head.
The Vinacoal general director said the coal industry would raise its yearly
output to 16 million tonnes by the end of the current 2001-05 five-year
plan with a total annual revenue of VND8 trillion.
Besides coal production, Vinacoal plans to commission several invested
thermal power plants in the coming years, including the 100 MW Na
Duong station in Lang Son province in 2003 and the 300 MW Cam Pha
plant in Quang Ninh province in 2005.
In addition to the well-known Quang Ninh colliery in the northwestern
region with an estimated reserve of 3.6 billion tonnes at the depth of 300
meters, Vietnam's northern basin is said to be of great potential in peat
and brown coal with a total deposit of 100 billion tonnes.
Asia Times - November 15, 2001.
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