Before 2040, Vietnam is set to initiate trial coal mining activities in the Red River basin, aiming to utilize coal in the region for industrial purposes by 2050.
As per the approved development strategy for the coal industry on January 16, Vietnam plans to engage domestic and international partners by 2030 for investment research, technology selection, and exploration of the coal mine in the Red River basin. The exploration and assessment phase is expected to span 15 years.
Several research and experimental mining projects in the Red River basin will be funded to determine the most suitable technologies.
According to the Vietnam Mineral Resources Authority, the total coal reserve in the Red River basin, if measured to a depth of 3,500 meters, amounts to 210 billion tons. This figure is 20 times greater than the reserves in Quang Ninh Province, presently the largest coal producer in Vietnam.
About 90% of the Red River coalfield is located in Thai Binh Province, bordering Hanoi.
Since 2009, the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group has entered into technology transfer agreements with several countries to conduct experimental coal mining in the Red River basin.
In 2016, the government approved a plan to invest in experimental projects utilizing underground mining and underground coal gasification technology for coal exploitation in the basin.
However, some scientists express concerns that the coal mining process in the Red River region may result in land subsidence and impact saltwater intrusion in the area.