Coal mining in Red River delta basin to start in 2010

Hanoi (VNA) - Pilot projects to exploit the Red River delta coal basin will start in 2010 according to a strategy to develop the coal industry to 2015 with orientations towards 2025.

The strategy, recently approved by the Prime Minister, is targeted to explore and access the coal reserve in the northeastern basin and a part of the Red River delta basin.

The exploration and assessment work for the Red River delta basin isexpected to be completed by 2015.

The strategy, which also focuses on overseas mining, firstly in Laos , Cambodia and African countries, aims to raise the industry's competitiveness with advanced technologies in exploration, exploitation,screening and processing.

It attaches importance to developing the coal industry in a sustainableand efficient manner.

Under the strategy, the industry plans to produce 48-50 million tonnes of coal by 2010, 60-65 million tonnes by 2015, 70-75 million tonnes by 2020, and 80 million tonnes by 2025, to be able to fully meet the domestic demandsand ensure energy security.

It also plans to basically stop causing pollution to the environment and water resources by 2010 and fully meet the environmental standards in allmining areas by 2020.

The Red River delta coal basin, which stretches on an area of 3,500 sq.

km. from Hanoi to the provinces of Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Thai Binh, has an estimated reserve of 210 billion tonnes.-Enditem