Environmentally friendly coal mining at Vinacomin

In the context of international economic integration, changes in consumer behavior and awareness have created both pressure and motivation for businesses to carry out social responsibility in environmental protection.

Cam Pha Port and Logistics Company cleans its industrial premises - Photo: Duong Dai

In the face of the challenges in environmental protection, Quang Ninh is one of few localities in the country that has switched from brown to green growth, in which enterprises are the focus of the transition.

Typically, the Vinacomin has drastically directed its member units to implement solutions to gradually minimize the impact of the coal and minerals mining and processing to the environment. They include improving the capacity of mine wastewater treatment, preventing environmental incidents, renovating the landscapes at the mining sites, restoring the environment, and developing “green” production.

Vinacomin’s General Director Dang Thanh Hai said that environmental protection has been implemented by coal enterprises with a very high sense of responsibility, considering this as a top priority along with production, contributing to building a green, clean and beautiful living and working environment.

So far, the total area of green trees to restore the environment in Quang Ninh has reached more than 1,200 hectares. It is expected that by 2025, the coal industry will plant an additional 1,000 ha of green trees each year to create environmental landscapes, contributing to accelerating the provincial transformation from “brown” to “green” economic model.

Many dumping sites have been covered with green trees – Photo: Ngoc Linh/Quang Ninh Newspaper

“The coal industry continues to fulfill its environmental commitments with Quang Ninh Province and allocate resources for environmental protection, carry out plans to cope with climate change, and keep investing in more environmentally friendly production technology”- Dang Thanh Hai added.

For example, Quang Ninh Coal Processing Company has nine water trucks to suppress dust in the port areas of Cam Pha, Ha Long and Uong Bi, Mao Khe and a sprinkler system to control dust at coal processing lines, and along transportation routes.

Recently, the company has also invested in three high-pressure misting machines with a total value of more than VND7 billion and renovated internal roads, drainage system, etc. It also implements environmental monitoring on a monthly and quarterly basis, ensuring the observance of environmental regulations.

The Vicacomin member units have regularly strengthened environmental protection activities, making the most of the value-added chain and circular economy for sustainable development. In addition, they have increased the capacity of six mine wastewater treatment stations, combined the recycling of the wastewater into domestic water, helping improve the mining value chain and environmental protection.

Currently, the coal industry has increased the capacity of mine wastewater treatment stations, including Mong Duong, Nui Nhen, Dong Vong, Mao Khe, and built the new Nui Hong station. Particularly, the Mao Khe wastewater treatment station has received the investment of more than VND50 billion from TKV to raise its capacity from 1,200 cu.m/hour to 2,400 cu.m/hour. When completed, this is one of the stations having the largest wastewater treatment capacity in the coal industry today.