More than 300 delegates from ASEAN and countries with strong mining industries such as China and Japan are meeting in southern Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province this week for the first ASEAN international conference on geology and natural resources (GeoASEAN 1).
The two-day conference that began on Monday includes discussions on the potential of titanium mining in Viet Nam and other ASEAN countries and improvements in mining and processing technology.
Attendees discussed ways to protect the environment from the impact of mining, said Nguyen Linh Ngoc, deputy minister for Natural Resources and Environment.
According to figures from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam has an estimated reserve of 664 million tonnes of zircon-titanium ores located along the coast from Thanh Hoa to Ba Ria - Vung Tau provinces, especially in areas of red sand in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Ba Ria - Vung Tau.
Due to the demand in world markets and higher prices, titanium exploitation has been on the rise in Viet Nam.
Titanium mining, however, has had a negative impact in localities such as the central provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh.
At the meeting, representatives from the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Industry and Trade introduced the nation’s policies and laws, as well as its development strategy for the mining industry.
Foreign delegates presented reports outlining opportunities and challenges for Viet Nam’s titanium industry.
They also spoke about modern technology for titanium exploration and processing that can be used by ASEAN members.
GeoASEAN 1 was organised within the framework of the ASEAN Mineral Cooperation Action Plan (AMCAP) for the 2011- 15 period.
