Vietnam to exploit two million tonnes of rare earth yearly

Original rare earth mines are mainly in Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, rare earths in Vietnam are mainly found in the northwestern region. Dong Pao, Nam Nam Xe, Bac Nam Xe, and Yen Phu rare earth mines in this region have been explored. The region is rich in alkaline and sub-alkaline magmatic rocks rich in rare earth elements, which are favorable conditions for the formation of rare earth mines.

Original rare earth mines are mainly in Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces. Dong Pao Mine in Ban Hon Commune of Lai Chau Province’s Tam Duong District is the largest rare earth reserve in Vietnam, which can be exploited on an industrial scale.

Lai Chau Province alone is home to four rare earth mines and sites, including Dong Pao in Tam Duong District’s Ban Hon Commune, and Bac Nam Xe, Nam Nam Xe and Then Thau in Phong Tho District’s Nam Xe and Ban Lang communes.

Rare earth mines are also found in Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Nghe An, Kon Tum and Lam Dong provinces.

The Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources said environmental impact assessment and environmental pollution control need to be an important part of a rare earth exploitation project. The world has an increasing demand for rare earths, offering opportunities for Vietnam’s rare earth industry.

Vietnam has a favorable geographical location with access to major rare earth importing markets of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

The Government has prioritized the development of and attraction of investment in the mineral mining industry, including rare earth exploitation.

The Prime Minister recently signed Decision 866/QD-TTg approving a plan for the exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals in 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. Under the plan, licensed rare earth exploration projects at Bac Nam Xe and Nam Nam Xe rare earth mines in Lai Chau Province will be completed, while licensed rare earth exploitation in Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces will be upgraded and expanded.

Vietnam will promote the search for technology and markets associated with licensed rare earth intensive processing projects in Dong Pao Mine (Lai Chau) and Yen Phu Mine (Yen Bai), and at the same time accomplish a rare earth processing factory in Yen Phu Commune of Yen Bai Province’s Van Yen District.

From 2031 to 2050, the country will explore more licensed rare earth mines in Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces, maintain the operation of existing projects, expand mining in Dong Pao Mine, and launch three to four new mining projects in Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces, all in order to reach a total mining output of about two million tonnes of raw ore per year.

Based on the actual situation, Vietnam will increase the capacity of existing mining projects, focusing on intensive processing of rare earths, and building new rare earth metallurgy factories.