Vietnam pushes on with bauxite project despite opposition

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is determined to go forward with a bauxite exploitation project in the Central Highlands despite public opposition.

The ministry is urging the Vietnam National Coal Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) to speed up the construction of Tan Rai alumina plant, part of the bauxite project.

A red-mud reservoir in India

Dantri/DTiNews held an interview with the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade and Chairman of Vinacomin Le Duong Quang regarding the implementation of two bauxite project’s in Vietnam.

What is your viewpoint of the bauxite project which is facing opposition from some experts and scientists?
Unlike other projects, we have submitted the bauxite project to the Politburo and the government for consideration numerous times. The project was approved for its feasible economic efficiency and suitability for the national mineral development strategy.

We, therefore, have intensified the construction of Tan Rai alumina plant to serve exports which are expected to narrow the national trade gap.

Many officials and economists have expressed concerns about the bauxite project after the recent red-mud incident in Hungary? What do you think about this?
After the red-mud spill in Hungary, the Ministry of Industry and Trade worked with Vinacomin and consultants to study the problem.

We have asked Vinacomin to reconsider the underway Tan Rai alumina project as well as construction of red-mud lakes.

The ministry has also requested Vinacomin to hire an independent foreign consulting firm to re-appraise the design of the red-mud reservoirs and examine earthquake risks in the Central Highlands.

We have sent a delegation to Hungary to find out about causes of the red-mud incident. In the coming time, the mission will come to Brazil or another country whose terrain is similar to the Central Highlands to learn about red-mud management experience.

What are foundations to ensure the safety of red-mud lakes of two the alumina projects in the Central Highlands?

Each red-mud lake in the Central Highlands is divided into eight separated holds. Processing the red-mud is done for each section one by one. This will help to avoid latent risks.

The reservoirs are designed to handle an earthquake reaching up to 9.0 on the Richter scale. I think that anyone who has ever seen the entire estimation and preparation process of the red-mud lakes will feel secure about them.

We are also willing to hear public opinion for the bauxite project and particularly scientific demonstrations for possible risks of the red-mud lakes.

Why do we use the wet disposal method to process the red-mud, but nod dry disposal technology that can be safer?

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Currently, up to 66% factories use the wet disposal technology for red-mud treatment, while just 34% apply the dry disposal measure.

We selected the wet method which is suitable for the terrain.

It is said that Vinacomin hired a Chinese designing firm for the two alumina projects in Vietnam, yet China is not home to any bauxite processor similar to the ones being constructed in Vietnam. Do you think this is risky for Vietnam?
I heard some opinions saying that Chinese bauxite is different from Vietnam’s. However, it is not a worrying issue because we should not give the fate of the Central Highlands bauxite projects to only China but take into account research results from Hungary, Russia, Japan and South Korea for the project’s implementation.

Meanwhile, the Chinese designer is a big and prestigious firm and among the world’s leading alumina producers. In 2009, Vinacomin invited many officials from the government, ministries and agencies to survey bauxite projects in China. After the visit, we have recognised that China has lots of experience in this field.

Which countries will bauxite of the two projects be exported to?
At present, many countries such as Saudi Arabia, Japan and China want to buy alumina from Vietnam and we plan to auction the alumina due to big purchase demand.

Thank you!