Hard coal mining in the province Quang Ninh is taking place for more than 130 years. Currently, about 95 % of the national hard coal production comes from the province, managed by the state-owned VINACOMIN group. Besides mining, in recent years Quang Ninh Province has developed into an important tourist attraction for domestic and international tourists because of Ha Long Bay which is a recognized UNESCO World Natural Heritage as well as one of the “New 7 Wonders of Nature”. Both economic branches need to be developed further side by side and for the long-term. This causes conflicts especially in the field of environment as the hard coal mining areas are located near the coast and residential areas and cause significant environmental impacts.
The main objectives of the joint project “Mining and Environment in Vietnam” are investigations for the development of environmental concepts for the hard coal mining industry. The project develops concepts for active mining areas as well as for a sustainable and economically efficient reclamation after mining. The developed environmental engineering and planning concepts are integrated into a central environmental management system and concepts for land-use after mining.
The project in total combines 6 project parts:
1. Main project on “environmental management system and capacity building”, overall project coordination (completed)
2. Project part on “dump stabilization and reclamation” (project site Nui Beo / Ha Long) (completed)
3. Project part on “water management and water treatment” (project site Vang Danh / Uong Bi) (ongoing)
4. Project part on “dust mitigation and monitoring” (project site Nui Beo / Ha Long) (completed)
5. Project part on “plant-based methods for sustainable dump recultivation and treatment of mine waters” (project sites Nui Beo / Ha Long and Dong Trieu) (completed)
6. Project part on “development and implementation of environmental planning and engineering concepts” (project site Hon Gai / Ha Long) (ongoing)
Some project parts are completed already. The achieved results include an environmental information system, environmental reporting, a modern mine water treatment plant, recommendations for the dump stabilization and recultivation, detailed technical dust mitigation measures, a pilot-scale constructed wetland for the treatment of mine waters. The capacity building program was implemented for about 180 staff members of VINACOMIN.
All project results are combined into one central handbook “Mining and Environment”.