On average, each year, the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (TKV) exploits 40-42 million tons of coal. Currently, the output of TKV's open-pit mines is gradually decreasing. In order to maintain output and meet the coal demand of the economy, TKV is accelerating the investment progress of mine development projects, focusing on underground mine projects.

In early November 2023, TKV started the project to exploit the depth below -220m of Binh Minh mine. Binh Minh mine is located in Ha Long city, belonging to Hon Gai Coal Company, and has been exploited since 2010, with the exploitation level from -75m to -220m. Currently, the project has entered the production reduction phase and is expected to end exploitation in 2026. The project to exploit the depth below -220m of Binh Minh mine has a total investment of 1,100 billion VND, with raw coal reserves of more than 9 million tons of coal, a capacity of 500,000 tons/year, exploitation for 21 years, exploitation level from -220m to -350m.

The project includes 2 mining furnaces, including 1 light mechanized furnace with a capacity of 300,000-350,000 tons/year and 1 chain frame furnace with a capacity of 200,000-250,000 tons/year. At the same time, it will maximize the use of automated conveyor technology in the mine and on the ground, delivering raw coal directly to the Hon Gai Coal Selection Company.

After more than 1 year of project implementation, up to now, Hon Gai Coal Company is accelerating the progress of digging tunnels for basic construction and implementing industrial yard items. Hon Gai Coal strives to put the first longwall into operation by the end of 2026; in 2027, continue to put the second longwall into operation and reach the mine's design capacity.

In addition to accelerating the progress of Binh Minh mine, Hon Gai Coal Company is currently preparing to invest in the Ha Rang mine expansion underground mining project. The Ha Rang mine expansion underground mining project in Ha Khanh ward, Ha Long city and Quang Hanh ward, Cam Pha city has a capacity of 900,000 tons of raw coal/year; the basic construction period is 4 years; the mine life is 17 years. The project has a total investment of more than VND 1,410 billion. Currently, Hon Gai Coal Company is completing investment procedures. It is expected that construction will start in mid-2025; by 2029, the Ha Rang mine expansion underground mining project will reach its design capacity.

According to the leader of Hon Gai Coal Company, the project to exploit the depth below -220m of Binh Minh mine and the project to exploit the Ha Rang mine expansion are two key projects of TKV, which are of special importance to increase the coal output of the Group, and at the same time create jobs for many workers. Both projects will apply maximum mechanization technology in the work of digging, mining, and transporting coal in the mine and on the surface. The application of modern technology and mechanized longwalls in underground production will increase labor productivity, improve working conditions of miners, reduce direct labor, effectively use coal resources, be environmentally friendly, and aim for sustainable development.

In Uong Bi City, TKV is currently preparing to invest in two underground coal mining projects at Vang Danh Coal Joint Stock Company and Uong Bi Coal Company. Of which, the underground mining project to a depth of -175m at Vang Danh coal mine under Vang Danh Coal Joint Stock Company has a total estimated investment of nearly VND8,500 billion. The expected design capacity is 2 million tons/year; the mining depth is from -175m to -350m. The project life is 38 years.

Currently, Vang Danh Coal Joint Stock Company manages and exploits coal under 5 licenses, of which the open-pit and flat-pit mining projects will end in the period of 2021-2023. Therefore, it is necessary to invest in new mine development projects. The implemented project will exploit the explored reserves, contributing to ensuring the supply of coal to the economy with a total output of 56.6 million tons within 35 years; at the same time, maintaining jobs and income for the mine's workforce of over 3,000 people within 35 years.

For the Dong Vong underground mining project of Uong Bi Coal Company, the designed capacity is 600,000 tons of raw coal/year; the project life is 32 years. Currently, TKV and Uong Bi Coal Company are focusing on removing difficulties, solving investment procedures, detailed construction planning; approving investment policies, and assessing environmental impacts.

To develop production, meet the coal demand of the economy, especially coal for electricity production, TKV pays special attention to investment in production development, including investment projects in coal mine development. Currently, Quang Ninh province has approved investment in 10 projects of TKV in the province, especially mine development projects, creating favorable conditions for TKV to develop production. Investing in mine projects in the current period helps TKV to prolong the life of mines, maintain coal output to meet the demand of thermal power plants.

To ensure progress, TKV requires units to focus all resources, human resources and consultants to urgently deploy and accelerate the progress of coal mine development projects to achieve the target of coal production, ensure annual mining output, and meet consumption. At the same time, direct and review the implementation of projects, accelerate the progress of resolving procedures, clearing obstacles, and construction.