The Ultimate Treasure Trove: Unveiling Vietnam’s 490 Million Ton Windfall

On June 4th, the Department of Industry and Trade hosted a meeting to evaluate the feasibility report for the investment project on bauxite ore mining and processing in Binh Phuoc Province. The project, which will be undertaken by Binh Phuoc Mineral Mining Joint Stock Company, aims to cater to the raw material demands of three ore processing plants with a capacity of 2 million tons per year.

The project is strategically located in the Thong Nhat bauxite mine, covering an area of 349.92 km2 across nine communes in Bu Dang District, Phuoc Tin Commune in Phuoc Long Town, and Tan Phuoc Commune in Dong Phu District. Additionally, the Tho Son bauxite mine, spanning 163.6 km2, is situated near the former, with a central point about 10 km from Duc Phong Town. The total geological reserve of the mines is estimated to be 497,680 thousand tons of raw ore, translating to over 200,500 thousand tons of refined ore.

The feasibility report for this project has undergone rigorous scrutiny, receiving 85 valuable comments and suggestions from industry experts, specialized consultants, and relevant authorities. During the meeting, the investor addressed and incorporated these insights, paving the way for the provincial People’s Committee to make an informed decision.

Binh Phuoc is endowed with a diverse range of mineral resources, including 20 types of minerals across four groups: construction materials, metals, non-metals, and raw materials. Of these, construction materials such as stone, sand, clay, laterite, and pumice hold the most promise for the province’s economic development. These resources are predominantly found in the western region, with smaller deposits in the central area.

In terms of land resources, Binh Phuoc boasts six types of soil, with the yellow-red soil group being the most prevalent, accounting for 80.19% of the province’s natural area. This is closely followed by gray soil, making up 13.20%, while slope accumulation soil comprises 2.99%. Black soil and alluvial soil account for 0.26% and 0.12%, respectively, while eroded soil with bare pebbles and stones make up only 0.04%.

Bauxite, a type of aluminum ore, is of significant interest in the region. The process of extracting aluminum from bauxite involves two crucial steps: producing alumina (Al2O3) using the Bayer process and then electrolyzing alumina to obtain aluminum (Al). Vietnam’s Dak Nong province leads the country in bauxite reserves, with an estimated 1.8 billion tons of refined ore, equivalent to 4.2 billion tons of raw ore, and an aluminum content exceeding 40%.

Bauxite mining and aluminia production have become integral to Dak Nong’s economic landscape, with numerous exploration and extraction permits granted. The unique characteristic of bauxite deposits, often spanning vast areas that include residential areas, infrastructure, and social development projects, presents both opportunities and challenges for the industry.