In the first six months of 2013, the coal industry basically completed its business plans. Coal output reached 23 million tonnes, equalling 50 percent of the full-plan year. Coal companies sold 21.5 million tonnes in January – June period, equal to 50 percent of the yearly plan and up 8 percent year on year, of which 7.2 million tonnes were shipped abroad, or 45 percent of the full-year plan.
Coal consumption remained slow in the past time. Coal export was not very good because export tariffs were high. With a export tax of 10 percent, the coal industry will hardly balance financial matters if prices fixed for 2013 are kept. Vietnam National Coal, Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) has to cut wages, reduce spending on technology, select easier coalmines for extraction to minimise costs and boost coal consumption. However, these measures are threatening the sustainable development of coal industry because the coal industry will not be able to have enough workforce, infrastructure and safe environment.
The Vietnamese coal industry has gathered all coal from producers with low production costs, with good-quality coal to sell to help troubled producers. Producers with high production costs, low coal quality will limit their output, just enough to ensure stable employment for workers.
In the reporting period, power companies purchased 8.43 million tonnes, up 38 percent year on year; fertiliser and chemical producers used 520,000 tonnes, up 117 percent; paper producers consumed 71,000 tonnes, up 73 percent; and cement manufacturers used 2.49 million tonnes, down 11 percent.
Coal stockpile at the end of the second quarter was estimated at 6.6 million tonnes, including 4.7 million tonnes of clean coal and 1.9 million tonnes of semi-finished products.
In June, Vinacomin generated 6.35 billion KWh of electricity. Explosive production output finished 53 percent of the plan and mechanical production completed 38-49 percent of the plan.
The coal sector was estimated to invest VND7,062 billion in the first six months, up 3 percent year on year. Coal companies continued reviewing projects to end those deemed less important or less urgent to focus resources on key ones which will decide the development of Vinacomin and its affiliates.
Vinacomin installed methane warning systems in underground mines to ensure safe production. Lam Dong bauxite – alumina complex in Lam Dong province is being commissioned and is ready for the first products.
In the coming time, Vinacomin will continue implementing Nhan Co alumina production factory project and urge EPC contractors to keep the progress of screening and conveying facilities. It will continue to invest in the iron and steel complex in Cao Bang province, invest in the iron and steel complex in Lao Cai province, expand Sin Quyen bronze ore, upgrade Thai Nguyen electrolytic zinc plant in Thai Nguyen province, exploit opencast tin ore in Tinh Tuc, invest in the gold mine in Minh Chau commune, Van Ban district, Lao Cai province, complete the investment of Co Dinh chromite ore, with capacity doubling to 80,000 tonnes a year, in Thanh Hoa province.
Vinacomin also put into operation Mao Khe thermal power plant, continued to build Nong Son thermal power plant, and sped up the investment of Dong Nai 5 hydropower plant. The group also prepared to invest in Cam Pha 3 thermal power plant, Haiphong 3 thermal power plant, Quynh Lap 1 thermal power plant, Phu Quoc thermal power plant, Na Duong 2 thermal power plant, and others.
The Group also expanded and modernised Dien Cong port, completed the railway from Vang Danh to Dien Cong. It will also complete procedures and carry out bid packages to build Lang Khanh port – Hon Gai Logistics Company and build coal feeders for Quang Ninh 2 thermal power plant.
Huong Giang
Đăng ký: VietNam News
