He made the remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony for the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin)’s copper plant No.2 at Sin Quyen copper complex in the northern province of Lao Cai on March 27.
Deputy PM Dung said that the plant’s operation is a significant move to improve the efficiency of Sin Quyen copper mine, helping ensure sufficient materials for domestic consumption and export.
The plant, invested with more than VND2.56 trillion (US$110.1 million), is part of the project to improve the capacity of Sin Quyen copper complex. With a designed capacity of 44,200 tonnes of copper ore each year, the plant is expected to supply enough materials for local refining companies. Since its commercial operation in January this year, the plant has mined nearly 3,400 tonnes of copper ore.
As Lao Cai has abundant mineral and natural resources, the deputy PM asked the province to continue support for mineral projects in the locality, especially in the compensation, land clearance and resettlement work.
Besides, it should join hands with competent agencies to map local mineral reserves, and zone off areas having prospects for natural resources development, he said.
As for Vinacomin, Deputy PM Dung hailed the corporation’s efforts in overcoming challenges to develop production and business as well as ensure national power security. He ordered the group to accelerate its projects, particularly the Lao Cai copper refining plant, so that the total copper refining capacity can reach 30,000 tonnes after 2020.
In addition, he said that Vinacomin should apply more advanced technologies into production, and pay due attention to environmental protection, labour safety, development of essential infrastructure, and improvement of local livelihoods, among others.
