Positive signals in the coal industry

The coal industry will focus on stabilizing production and boosting consumption

An increase in production

According to the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin), in the first two months of this year, the corporation produced 6.58 million tonnes of coal, fulfilling 17.4 percent of the yearly plan.

Coal consumption in the first two months of this year reached 5.8 million tonnes, accounting for 16.6 percent of the yearly plan. Of which, domestic consumption and exports reached 4.38 and 1.44 million tonnes of coal, accounting for 18 percent and 16 percent of the yearly plan respectively.

Vinacomin Deputy General Director Nguyen Van Bien said that in the first two months of this year, coal supply to the power sector also strongly increased, reaching 2.64 million tonnes, an increase of two percent compared to the same period last year. In addition, coal supply to the fertilizer, paper and cement sectors reached 226,000 tonnes, 24,000 tonnes and 791,000 tonnes respectively.

According to Vinacomin’s report, in February, the corporation newly dug 19.42km of coal pits, an increase of 5.69 percent compared to January and 20.1 percent compared to the same period last year. In the first two months of this year, the corporation dug 37.79km of coal pits. In addition, the volume of rock removal in the first two months of this year reached an estimated 28.82 million cu.m, an increase of 8.61 percent compared to the same period in 2013.

To achieve these remarkable results, Vinacomin directed member units to strengthen production in accordance with market demand, promoted technical management and strictly controlled quality, contributing to improving business efficiency for the corporation.

Boosting consumption

According to Vinacomin, coal consumption would increase when the Mong Duong II Thermal Power Plant is put into operation in March 2014.

Coal supply to the Mong Duong II Thermal Power Plant is implemented by conveyors from the Khe Cham Coal Plant to the G9 Warehouse. The corporation has directed investors and units to work together with local government to resolve compensation to people.

Vinacomin-Cam Pha Port and Logistics Company Deputy Director Nguyen Van Hoan said that the company was enough conditions to supply coal to the Mong Duong II Thermal Power Plant. A 1.7km conveyor with a transport capacity of 2,400 tonnes of coal per hour was completed in mid-January 2014. In addition, the G9 Warehouse covering on an area of 120,000sq.m with a loading capacity of 110,000 tonnes of coal is being completed.

Nguyen Van Hoan also said that the company adopted a temporary coal supply plan with an average volume of 60,000 tonnes of coal per month for the Mong Duong II Thermal Power Plant.

When putting the Mong Duong II Thermal Power Plant into operation, the plant will consume about 20,000-30,000 tonnes of coal per day. This is a major advantage for coal consumption in Cam Pha District. In addition, it will contribute to balancing energy source and improving efficiency for the national power grid.

Nguyen Van Bien said that putting the Mong Duong II Thermal Power Plant into operation will help the company achieve a target in terms of coal consumption of 35 million tonnes in 2014.

Source: VEN