Vietnam to mine 8 million tonnes of apatite next year

Hanoi, October 24 (VNA) - Vietnam aims to extract nearly 8 million tonnes of apatite ore by 2015 and 11 million tonnes by 2020, ensuring a steady supply for the chemical industry, especially fertiliser production. The output of raw and processed apatite is to increase by 9-10 percent each year, with top-grade raw ore accounting for 900,000 tonnes, according to the master plan for surveying, exploiting, processing and using apatite which was approved by the Prime Minister on October 20. By 2030, miners are required to improve technical infrastructure with a particular focus on the application of advanced technology to extract second- and fourth-grade apatite ore. The Cam Duong and Tang Long ore processing plants will maintain an annual output of 120,000 tonnes and 900,000 tonnes, respectively. The Bac Nhac Son 1 processing plant will be expanded and increase its capacity to 700,000t tonnes per year by forming a venture with the Apatite Vietnam Ltd company and other partners. Furthermore, there is the possibility to build the Bac Nhac Son 2 factory which could process 300,000-350,000 tonnes a year. The Lang Phung and Dong Ho processing plants, based in the northern mountainous city of Lao Cai, handle second-and third-grade apatite and are expected to turn out 250,000 tonnes and 800,000 tonnes, respectively.-VNA