On the afternoon of June 29, Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc held a working session with the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (TKV) to review its production and business performance in the first six months of the year and discuss key tasks for the remaining months, with a view to contributing to the country's double-digit growth target in 2026.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Government Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Quang Ninh province, the Ministry of Justice, and TKV leaders.

Opening the meeting, the Standing Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo had placed significant expectations on state-owned enterprises in leading economic growth. As the country strives to achieve double-digit growth, the business community, particularly state-owned enterprises, must make greater efforts to attain higher growth rates and contribute to national growth targets in 2026 and the 2026-2030 period.

He asked TKV to report on its performance during the first half of the year and outline tasks for the second half of 2026 in connection with the double-digit growth target, while clarifying its implementation of Resolution No. 29 and related matters.

In particular, TKV was requested to clarify its orientation toward investment and business activities closely linked to its core political missions in order to meet the country's rising energy demand. The group was also urged to continue promoting its role as a key state-owned enterprise and strengthen its competitiveness.

The Standing Deputy Prime Minister noted that over the past nearly three months, difficulties and obstacles facing TKV that fell under the Government's authority had largely been resolved promptly, including complex issues. He called on the group's leadership to candidly present remaining challenges so that ministries and agencies could discuss and address them, creating favorable conditions for the group to focus on new tasks.

He also expressed his desire to hear more about TKV's contributions to implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and the application of new regulations on Party building within enterprises.

Controlling costs, improving efficiency and competitiveness

Reporting at the meeting, TKV General Director Vu Anh Tuan said the group had basically fulfilled its assigned tasks during the first six months of the year. Major production and business indicators reached and exceeded 50% of annual targets.

Specifically, commercial coal output reached approximately 53.7% of the annual plan, coal consumption reached 55%, and budget contributions exceeded 55%. Other sectors, including alumina mining, power generation, revenue, profit and employee income, achieved around 53-54% of planned targets.

Regarding coal supply for thermal power generation, TKV ensured adequate supply despite strong demand, reaching about 55% of the annual plan while maintaining reserves of approximately 5.5 million tonnes, equivalent to one and a half months of electricity generation demand.

Investment implementation reached around 48% of the annual target, up 135% compared with the same period in 2025. Security, safety, environmental protection and social welfare activities were maintained. In social welfare alone, TKV spent more than VND 63 billion during the first six months of the year.

During the period, the group faced several challenges, including rising production costs due to fluctuations in fuel and material prices; delays in exploration and mining licenses because the National Energy Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050 has not yet been adjusted; slow site clearance for mining projects in some localities; and complicated licensing procedures for processing and consuming non-coal minerals, which have reduced output.

At the meeting, leaders of ministries and agencies assessed that the mining sector, particularly the coal industry and TKV, plays a crucial role in economic growth, energy security and major macroeconomic balances, and therefore should be prioritized in governance and development orientations.

They also emphasized that TKV should continue maintaining and increasing mining and processing output while controlling costs, improving operational efficiency and strengthening competitiveness.

Participants discussed and responded to recommendations raised by TKV, including adjustments to the National Energy Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050; allowing the group to conduct deeper exploration within designated mining areas without additional administrative procedures; early guidance on implementing Resolution No. 28/2026/NQ-CP dated June 9, 2026, on special mechanisms permitting mining output to exceed licensed capacity by up to 15%, with flexible application among different coal categories serving power generation and the market; policies on training and assessment for national vocational skills certificates in the mining sector; and measures to ensure national energy security under current conditions.

Ministries and agencies agreed that a comprehensive coordination mechanism is needed to address TKV's recommendations by issue groups and strengthen inter-agency cooperation in resolving difficulties related to planning, investment, land use, mining activities and financial mechanisms.

TKV Chairman Ngo Hoang Ngan affirmed that the group would fully absorb recommendations on strengthening internal governance and reducing production and business costs. It would also closely coordinate with ministries, sectors and local authorities to complete documentation and accelerate appraisal and approval procedures for mine development projects, thereby maintaining and expanding output to meet coal demand in the coming years.

In addition, TKV will work closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs on training, recruitment and vocational certification for mining workers, ensuring absolute labor safety while addressing workforce recruitment challenges.

Maintaining stable and safe production while exceeding targets

Based on opinions presented at the meeting, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc acknowledged and highly appreciated TKV's contributions to economic growth, job creation and energy security, especially during the first half of 2026, further affirming the coal industry's important role in national economic development.

Looking ahead, he urged TKV to continue ensuring stable and safe coal production while fulfilling and surpassing production and business targets for the 2026-2030 period. Priority must be given to guaranteeing sufficient coal supplies for electricity generation and preventing fuel shortages under all circumstances.

Emphasizing that proactive domestic mineral exploitation helps maintain strategic autonomy and reduce dependence on imports, thereby contributing to major economic balances, the Standing Deputy Prime Minister requested the group to review all coal and mineral mining investment projects and accelerate preparations for key projects.

He called for the development of new coal mines, expansion of existing mines in line with approved plans, effective use of the mechanism allowing production increases of up to 15% at certain operating mines, and maximum mobilization of resources to raise output of key minerals in compliance with approved plans and licenses.

At the same time, TKV was urged to promote deeper processing of key minerals and gradually establish integrated value chains covering extraction, refining, processing and product consumption, while preparing capabilities for deeper participation in these sectors in line with the country's mineral development strategy.

The Standing Deputy Prime Minister also requested the group to continue organizational reforms, improve corporate governance, reduce costs, enhance competitiveness and raise operational efficiency.

Alongside improving production and business performance, TKV should continue paying attention to workers' welfare by improving working conditions, housing, benefits, training, recruitment and human resource development, while building on achievements in developing social housing for workers.

TKV must strengthen its corporate governance capacity and thoroughly prepare for and effectively implement Conclusion No. 18-KL/TW of the Party Central Committee, as well as resolutions of the National Assembly and the Government on the 2026 socio-economic development plan and the double-digit growth target. The group was also encouraged to pursue advanced technologies and absorb international management experience.

Regarding TKV's recommendations, the Standing Deputy Prime Minister assigned ministries and agencies to promptly address matters within their authority. Issues beyond their competence must be reported to the Government and the Prime Minister for consideration and decision. Local authorities were also requested to continue close coordination and create favorable conditions for TKV's development, thereby contributing positively to local socio-economic growth.