Masan’s Nui Phao Tungsten Mine Receives Planning Adjustment Approval

Adjusting Planning to Perfect Legal Framework for Nui Phao Mine

The adjustments aim to promptly resolve bottlenecks in the implementation of Planning 866. Decision 2581/QĐ-TTg has updated the list of exploration and exploitation projects, adjusted coordinates, area, reserves, capacity, and exploitation timelines within the planning scope.

The Nui Phao tungsten polymetallic mine (Thai Nguyen) and adjacent areas are included in the adjustments, covering projects like Nui Phao Expansion and Nui Chiem. These updates ensure maximum utilization of the 28.028 million tons of underground reserves, aligning with exploitation designs and future project development. This optimization enables enterprises to enhance mining efficiency and expand deep processing in a modern, safe, and sustainable manner.

Nui Phao Mine operates under License No. 1710/GP-BTNMT dated September 21, 2010, issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment). The mining area covers 90 hectares with approved reserves of 83.22 million tons (55.192 million tons open-pit and 28.028 million tons underground). The project is transitioning to exploit the remaining 28 million tons, shifting from underground to combined open-pit and underground mining.

The Nui Phao mineral complex produces four main products: tungsten, fluorite, bismuth, and copper. Tungsten undergoes advanced processing to create ammonium paratungstate and tungsten oxide powder, vital for electric vehicles, semiconductors, aerospace, oil and gas, and medical devices. This enhances Vietnam’s role in the global high-tech material supply chain.

Strengthening Vietnam’s Role in the Global Strategic Mineral Supply Network

Global energy transitions, electric vehicle growth, chip production expansion, and green technologies are driving demand for critical minerals. Countries are building stable supply chains and enhancing deep processing to ensure long-term material security.

In this context, Decision 2581/QĐ-TTg not only perfects the legal framework for exploration and exploitation at Nui Phao and other mines but also strengthens Vietnam’s position in the global strategic mineral supply network. These updates help localities and enterprises maximize resource potential, supporting the development of high-tech material industries.

Vietnam plays an increasingly significant role in multilateral cooperation, recognized as a key Asian player in strategic minerals. Vietnam holds a unique advantage in tungsten, classified as essential by the G20 due to its hardness, heat resistance, and applications in semiconductors, energy, electronics, and advanced materials. The Nui Phao mine ranks second globally in tungsten reserves outside China and fifth in fluorite production (U.S. Geological Survey), with additional strategic minerals like bismuth and copper.

Operated by Masan High-Tech Materials (UpCom: MSR), the Nui Phao project establishes an integrated, sustainable high-tech material supply chain, from mining to production for advanced industries. This strategic advantage elevates Vietnam’s global mineral supply chain standing.