VINACHEM

On March 10, 2025, in Hanoi, the Vietnam National Chemical Group (VINACHEM) organized a scientific conference on the implementation of the potash salt mine exploitation and processing project in Lao PDR.

The conference was attended by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, Deputy Director of the Department of State Enterprise Development (Ministry of Finance); representatives of leaders of the Department of Chemicals, the Department of Innovation, the Green Transformation and Agricultural Extension (Ministry of Industry and Trade); scientists and experts: Professor Zhang Ying, Henan University of Technology (China); Professor, Dr. Raman Paranjape, University of Regina (Canada); Associate Professor - Dr. La The Vinh, Hanoi University of Technology; Dr. Pham Trung Nguyen, Vietnam Mining Science and Technology Association.

On the side of Vietnam National Chemical Group, there were Mr. Phung Quang Hiep, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the Board of Members; Mr. Nguyen Huu Tu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Member of the Board of Members, General Director and CEO; Mr. Chu Van Giap, Member of the Board of Members; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Binh, Member of the Board of Members; Mr. Dao Trong Cuong, Deputy General Director; Mr. Nguyen Van Luyen, Head of the Supervisory Board; representatives of leaders of some professional departments and the leaders of Viet - Lao Chemical and Rock salt Co., Ltd (Vinachemsalt).

In his opening speech, Mr. Phung Quang Hiep, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the Board of Members of the Group thanked the representatives of ministries and branches as well as experts and scientists for attending the Conference on the Implementation of the Potash Salt Mine Exploitation and Processing Project in Lao PDR. He said that currently, Vietnam has all types of fertilizers except potassium because this product has the characteristic that it must have a mine to be exploited and processed, and the importance of potassium in the agricultural sector is very large, it is both a direct product and an input material for other fertilizer products. Therefore, this project is of particular importance to Vietnam in general and the Group in particular, and this project has also received special attention from the Politburo of the two countries. He further informed that the project was surveyed, explored, and a feasibility report was prepared in 2008, licensed in 2013, and started construction in 2015. However, due to some reasons, the project was suspended in 2017. After a period of review and evaluation, the Group requested the competent authorities to allow the project to be restarted, and in August 2024, the Group was allowed to restart the project.

"This project not only fulfills the task of doing business, but also fulfills the task of politics, national defense, security, and foreign affairs, so it is a particularly important project. Therefore, by all means, the Group will implement and successfully implement this project," he emphasized. Because of that importance, he hoped that through this Conference, experts and scientists with a lot of experience as well as representatives of ministries and branches would share their experiences so that the Group could apply them to implement the Project most effectively and strive to have the first ton of products by 2026.

At the Conference, delegates heard Professor Zhang Ying, Research Director of the Zhengzhou Advanced Strategic Research Institute under Henan University of Technology; former CEO of Zhongyun International Engineering (Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China), a unit specializing in consulting, designing and constructing potash salt mines, including many potash mines in Laos, Congo, and Kazakhstan. Professor, Dr. Raman Paranjape, University of Regina - Canada shared his experience in implementing the Potash Exploitation and Processing Project, and Associate Professor, Dr. La The Vinh, Hanoi University of Technology; Dr. Pham Trung Nguyen, Vietnam Mining Science and Technology Association exchanged views on technology, mineral exploitation and processing methods.

After listening to the experts and scientists share, delegates asked questions about potash salt mine exploitation and processing as well as safety assurance and were answered by the experts.

In his closing speech, Mr. Nguyen Huu Tu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Member of the Board of Members, General Director and CEO of the Group affirmed that this is a project of great importance to the Vietnam National Chemical Group, both an economic project and a project of profound political significance. The project is large-scale, plays an important role, creates momentum for the development of the Vietnam National Chemical Group in the upcoming development period and the following years, and is also a source of potassium and other products for the Group to implement its development strategy to become a strong economic group of the country. Therefore, the Group is determined to implement the project as soon as possible.

On behalf of the Group's leaders, he sincerely thanked the professors and scientists for sharing and exchanging at the Conference. "This is truly a very valuable source of materials for the Group to accelerate project implementation. The opinions focused almost comprehensively on all contents and issues related to exploitation technology, recommendations on exploitation solutions, progress, human resources, total investment and especially safety. The contributions help the Group gain experience in the upcoming project implementation," he emphasized.

He also requested the Investment and Construction Department, Vinachemsalt, based on the opinions at the Conference, to summarize and select opinions directly related to the Project implementation, proposals, and recommendations of experts suitable to the Group's conditions to be used as a source of exchange materials.

He stated that in the coming time, according to the requirements of the task, the Group will have to implement the Project very quickly but at the same time ensure quality, environmental safety, human safety, machinery and equipment. Therefore, the Group will have to prepare very carefully, so the Group very much hopes to receive the cooperation and support of experts and scientists during the Project implementation so that the Project is truly successful, quality and effective