ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN

MINING SECTOR OF VIET NAM

AND APPLICATION OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM

Dr. Le Dang Hoan-

Vietnam-Korea Environmental Industry
Co-operation Center
PART 1

GENERAL INFORMATION OF MINERAL

RESOURCES AND MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

GENERAL INFORMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

Vietnam has a diverse mineral resource with hundreds kind of minerals

including oil and gas, coal, metallic and non-metallic ores.

The minerals are found both on the mainland and offshore and about 5,000

ores occurrences and deposits have been found in the whole country. In some

special areas, some reserves are concentrated in specific areas like oil and gas

in the Southern off-shore, coal in Quang Ninh, bauxite in Tay Nguyen and

apatite and rare earth in the Northern provinces.

Some minerals were discovered and exploited a very long time ago such as

gold, tin, lead, zinc, coal, limestone and construction minerals. Others were

discovered and exploited only recently such as gas, oil, iron, copper, apatite,

ilmenite.
GENERAL INFORMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

The reserve and locations of major minerals in Vietnam

No Mineral Unit Proven reserve Estimated reserve Location

1 Oil 109 tons 1.5-2 5-6 Off-shore

2 Coal - 3.6 6.6 Quang Ninh
3 Apatite - 0.9 2.1 Lao Cai
4 Iron - 1.0 1.2 Bac Thai, Cao Bang, Nghe An,
Ha Giang, Lao Cai
5 Bauxite - 3 6.6 Dac Lac, Lam Dong, Kontum,
Gia Lai
6 Rare earth 109 tons 8.5 22.5 Lai Chau
7 Copper 106 1.2 5.4 Lao Cai
8 Lead-zinc - 3 7.8 Bac Thai, Ha Giang, Yen Bai
9 Chromite - 22.8 Thanh Hoa
10 Tin - 0.2 0.6 Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Nghe
An, Lam Dong
11 Lime stone 109 tons 1.8 8 Different areas
12 Glass sand - 0.7 Different areas
GENERAL INFORMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

Geological investigations are still continuing and the possibility of increasing

and/or upgrading the reserve of discovered minerals and discovering new

mineral occurrences are high.

The mining industry in Vietnam began 100 years ago. In the whole territory
about 1,000 mines and over 50 different minerals are being exploited.

The mining technology of Vietnam is rather backward. The mining method

applied on the mainland is basically open pit (coal underground mining is only
30% of the total coal production, metallic and non-metallic ores are being mined
almost only by the open pit method). Artisanal and semi-mechanical

mining are also contacted

Spontaneous mining by local people is commonly concentrated to gold,

precious stone, tin ores and other ores which may easily be sold on the market.
GENERAL INFORMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

The mining industry occupies an important position in the economy of Vietnam.

Every year it supplies about:

~25 million tons of crude oil;

25-30 million tons of coal;

0.5-0.6 million tons of apatite concentrate;

hundreds thousand tons of metal and metallic concentrate;

10 million tons of limestone and other construction materials

Provides job for hundreds thousand of employees.

Contributed 2.5% - 3% of total GDP.

PART 2

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

IN THE MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

1. Non-efficient use of natural resources

Mines have been exploited since decades and are now running out of high grade reserves
artisanal methods have been introduced as a way of continuing the production and
maintaining the employment of mine workers.

Artisanal recovery of remaining resources negatively

affect agricultural land and the sustainable use of soils
for farming purposes.

The rate of loss of resources is a notable

environmental problem in the Vietnamese mining sector.
For example:
Losses in coal underground mining:40-60% of ore
Losses in coal open pit mining: 10-15% of ore
Losses in apatite mining: 26-43% of ore
Losses in metal ore mining: 15-30% of ore
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

2. Effects on landscape and morphology

Apatite, coal and iron are mostly exploited in open pits in hills or
small mountains of little alternative usage the
impacts is small and less direct

Limestone and clay, used for cement manufacturing or for the

production of lime. The main environmental impact is the visual
effect on the countryside view, as the exploitation often is carried
out in quite densely populated and tourist
areas (for example in the Hai Phong delta).

The exploitation for gold or cassiterite (Sn) in alluvial river gravels affects the depth of river
courses and often causes diversions of rivers.

In areas of exploitation of alluvial cassiterite deposits underlying farm land, the clay soils at
the surface or/and the plantations of rice are often sacrificed in order to allow access to the
mineral-bearing layers. The fertile soil is seldom or never preserved and returned to its original
place farming land is lost for future use

Exploitation of titanium-bearing minerals from beach sand may cause conflicts with fishing
ctivities and cause erosion. In populated areas, for example the city of Hue and its nearby
beaches, exploitation mayaffect tourist interests.
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

3. Accumulation/spread of solid waste

Large quantities of wastes in the forms of tailings and waste rock

Many older impoundments are not well maintained tailings material escapes to the
surrounding land and nearby streams and rivers appear yellow brown in colour due to the
high content of such suspended solids (black from coal in coal mining areas).

In some mining areas dominated by artisanal activities, or with deficient treatment methods
and waste disposal, tailings material is discharged directly into the environment. For example,
in certain areas of alluvial tin mining, water with high contents of solid particles are let out
directly into local streams and rice fields, destroying crops and burying the fertile soil layer
under tailings.
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

4. Water use and pollution

The contamination of natural waters is common at most mining sites in Vietnam. This
contamination can be subdivided into the following categories:

Suspended solids related to workings in alluvial deposits or discharged from

beneficiation plants;
Suspended coal particles from coal mines and coal treatment plants;
Metals in true solution generated during the ore treatment process;
Acid, metal-rich solutions formed by the oxidation of sulphidic minerals in waste;
Process chemicals used in ore beneficiation plants (cyanide, xanthenes, etc.);
Chemicals from metallurgical plants, for example phenol from coking plants.

1. Clean water, pH7.7 2. Wastewater, pH3.1 3. Wastewater, pH4.8

 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

5. Air pollution and dusting

Air pollution and dusting associated with
mining operations are principally limited to the
following concerns:
- Exhaust fumes at metallurgical plants.
- Coal dusting in coal mining areas.
- Dusting from transport on dirt roads.
Limestone dust in exhaust fumes from
cement plants and lime ovens represent a
major environmental problem (its so-called
white smoke)
The gas emissions from the coking plant
of the Vietnam Steel Corporation mainly
consist of CH4 and H2. The small
metallurgical plant producing tin at Thai
Nguyen emits gases containing Sn, As, Pb,
and the zinc plant in the same city emits
powder of zinc oxide with an unknown
content of other metals.
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

6. Effects on flora and fauna

There is no mining in Vietnam carried out within national parks or other nature reserves.
However, the coal mining fields in the Quang Ninh province are situated close to the
extensive Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site, an archipelago of supreme natural beauty and
an important area for tourism.
The main impact on flora and fauna is the disturbance or destruction of rice plantations
and their valuable soil cover.

Waste rock

Old mining pit

 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

7. Noise and vibration

Noise and vibration related to mining activities are matters of relatively less importance.
The mine workers may be profoundly affected by noise from machinery and rock blasting.
Ore treatment and metallurgical plants are quite often located within built-up areas and
therefore cause noise and vibration disturbance to the local population.

8. Socio-economic impact
Negative influences on the environment also cause negative impacts on socio-economic
conditions, primarily regarding the living conditions of mining employees and people living in
the mining areas.
The products of mining are an important and imperative portion in structure of GDP of a
poor country like Vietnam.
The mining industry also contributes to developing transportation, communication, power
supply, trading, culture and changing socio-economic condition of backward areas. It is
therefore understandable that the environment interests can be in conflict with the
immediate economic interests.
PART 3
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

IN MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

1. Typical features in application of EMS in the mining sector in Vietnam

So far, the number of enterprises operating the EMS ISO14001 in Vietnam are very limited
and most of them are foreign-invested. These companies have modern technologies,
developed infrastructure, advanced management level and strong finance. As a result the
establishment of EMS at these units is fairly advantageous.

On the contrary, state-owned enterprises, especially those in the mining and metallurgy
sector, which have been in operation for a long time, have outdated technologies and limited
resources, consequently the EMS ISO14001 has not practically been of application .

In 2002, under assistance of SIDA (Sweden International Development cooperation

Agency), the EMS introduction to the Tam Hiep Experiment Centre (belonging to National
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy) is part of the Project on Strengthening the Capacity of
Environmental Protection in the Mining Sector and Related Activities in Vietnam has been
done. The success of the EMS application at the Tam Hiep Centre is as a sample to apply in
other similar enterprises of mining and ore treatment organization. The project was completed
but the EMS established in Tam Hiep is not applied in any mining enterprise.

2007 project Establishment of guideline for application EMSISO 14001 in coal and other
mining enterprises is conducting by Science and technology Institute of Mining
 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

* Characteristics of establishment of EMS in the mining sector in Vietnam

Vietnam is high density of population country and some mining areas are located in farm or
area of residents. It easy lead to contradict with local peoples in using land for mining
activities.

Environmental Impacts in the mining areas are not only by reasons of present activities, but
also by the mining activities in the past time, when the environment protection is not a subject
for mention old miners.

Up to now small manual scale and illegal mining activities, which difficult to control are
carrying on many regions of gold, tin, inmenhite, precious stone... mines.

The owner of mining enterprises in Vietnam are almost cases is State. There are some joint
stock companies, but they are one member of stock company. Thats why some cases they
have and production and management role. It is reasons of non effective environmental
protection activities.

Environmental management bodies are not concerning in application of EMS in the sector
and knowledge of minors and residents on environmental protection in mining activities is
limited. These are any typical sample or guidance of application of EMS in the sector to
demonstrate for upgrade the knowledge for peoples.
 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

2. Important components of EMS in mining industrial sector of Vietnam

General model of the EMS in mining sector:

COMMITMENT
& POLICY

REVIEW CONTINUOUS PLANNING

IMPROVEMENT

EVALUATION IMPLEMENTATION
 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

2. Important components of EMS in mining industrial sector of Vietnam

2.1. Environmental policy
Prevent pollution and continual improvement of environmental performance in
mining areas and surrounding areas.

Comply with legislative and other requirements regarding the environment ensuring
that all mining activities have acceptable impacts on the environment, particularly on
surrounding areas.

Selection to use new technologies, appropriated for the environment.

Use energy, water and fuels effectively ensuring environmentally sound production
and reducing the amount of waste in present and future operations.

Policy on treatment solid waste and on land reclamation for reuse.

 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

2. Important components of EMS in mining industrial sector of Vietnam

2.2. Legal and other requirements
National requirements: National LAW ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, No.
29/2005/L/CTN December 12, 2005 passed by the National Assembly, Legislature XI
of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam at its 8th Session.

National Law on Minerals.

Provincial requirements: Legal circular enforced by the Local People's Committee,

where the mining activities are doing.

Ministerial and Sectorial Requirements: Legal circulars ,enforced by the Minister of

Natural and Environment on application of Vietnam Standards on environment
including industrial emissions, wastewater discharge, surface water, groundwater,
noise and vibration.

Legal and other requirements of the Ministry of industries, management ministry on

mining sector and other Instructions, decisions, official letters of related organizations
 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

2. Important components of EMS in mining industrial sector of Vietnam

2.3. Determination of environmental aspects
There are two kinds of mining enterprises in Vietnam:

One is the enterprises which have began mining activities from past time with

outdated technologies environmental aspects can determine by making

environmental audit.

Other one is newly established enterprises with modern technologies have to

make EIA

In the content of audits or EIA must include the purposes, targets and

implementation stages for minimizing environmental impacts on mining areas and

adjacent areas, especially on ground water and rivers water system.
 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MINING SECTOR OF VIETNAM

2. Important components of EMS in mining industrial sector of Vietnam

2.4. Environmental management programme
The environmental programme element is linked to the objective and targets and to
significant environmental aspects, mentioned in environmental audit or in EIA. The
programme contains activities, timeframes and resources in conformity with the ISO
14001. Priority to be implemented activities in the environmental management
programme must be declared.

The activities of the programme shall be reviewed, evaluated and reported to the
Management Review twice a year. The programme(s) should at least once a year be
authorized by the Top Management.

2.5. Commitment of organization

EMS programe , purposes, targets will be committed to perfectly complete by top

Management boad and every unit of enterprises of mining and ore treatment. It will be
considered as a cultural way of live of organizations.
 CONCLUSION
Protection of environment in Mineral Activities, following measures have to be taken:

1. Organizations and individuals engaged in mineral resources prospecting and

exploitation and mineral processing, must take measures to prevent and respond to
environmental incidents, and comply with the requirements for environmental protection
and rehabilitation;

2. Minerals must be stored and transported with specialized equipment and adequately
covered to avoid their leakages and spillage into the environment.

3. The operation of machinery and equipment and the use of toxic chemicals in mineral
prospecting, exploration, exploitation and processing shall be subject to the technical
certification, inspection and monitoring by the State management agencies of
environmental protection.

4. The exploration, prospecting, exploitation, transport and processing of oil, gas and other
minerals containing radioactive elements and toxic substances, must comply with the
regulations on chemical safety, nuclear safety and radiation safety, and the other
regulations on environmental protection.
 CONCLUSION (con.)

The Ministry of Industry shall, in collaboration with relevant ministries, ministerial

level agencies, Government bodies and provincial level Peoples Committees, be
responsible for all activites, related to environmental protection in the section compliance
with the law .

Application of Environmental Management System is very poor in the sector and

knowledge of minors and residents on environmental protection in mining activities is
limited. these is any typical sample or guidance of application of EMS in the sector to
demonstrate for upgrading the knowledge for peoples. Environmental management
organizations of Vietnam have to establish a program for the subject and international
cooperation with mining development countries is very important right now.
Tailings dam of Pyrites mine in Giap Lai, Phu Tho province
Artisanally mining the kaolin
Tin mine in Son Duong, Thai Nguyen province
Ruby mine at Ty hill in Nghe An province