Coal and Mineral Sector: Science and Technology Key to Growth

12:00 AM @ Monday - 01 January, 1900

(VEN) - The demand for coal is increasing rapidly while it is becoming more difficult to extract natural mineral resources. Promoting scientific research and technology development is one of the effective solutions for companies in the coal and mineral sector to deal with this situation.

The domestic demand for coal increased from 27.5 million tonnes in 2004 to 44.36 million tonnes in 2009, at an annual growth rate of 12.3 percent. Meanwhile, open-cast coal mines are becoming exhausted. For underground mining to be effective and safe, it is necessary to apply suitable scientific research results and technologies but not traditional methods.
Advanced coal mining technologies that are applied in the world are very expensive and unsuitable to the actual condition in Vietnam. Therefore, most companies in the domestic coal and mineral sector choose to apply Vietnamese technologies in production. To do this, however, they must cooperate tightly with scientific research organizations. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, the director of the Institute of Mining Science and Technology under the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin), said, "For the application of scientific research results and technologies in production to be effective, the institute has transferred many technologies to companies. It has taken the initiative of creating a market to sell scientific research products on a wide range of fields, meeting the needs of companies and contributing considerably to the development of science and technology in the coal and mineral sector."
To combine research and production activities in a systematic manner, the Institute of Mining Science and Technology is promoting operations in the EPC (Engineering-Procurement-Construction) model, including research, design consultancy, supply of new materials, equipment and technology, construction, installation and training on technology transfer, based on its scientific and technological products. Total revenue from the EPC model increased from VND139.9 billion in 2007 to VND354.36 billion in 2009. Earnings from providing consultancy, training and operation and technology transfer guidance account for 20-30 percent of the institute's total revenue. In recent years, the institute promoted the application of the coal suspension technology in sifting low-quality coal through State-level projects. So far, in coordination with concerned organizations, the institute has designed, built and put into operation 15 low-quality coal sifting lines at the Uong Bi, Nui Beo, Mao Khe, Deo Nai, Coc Sau, Quang Hanh and Ha Lam coal companies, with module capacity ranging from 250,000 tonnes per year to 650,000 tonnes per year. Total investment in a project was VND5.26-24.4 billion.
To promote the application of new technologies and the use of new equipment, the institute has expanded cooperation with producers by providing them with technical assistance. The institute is willing to act as a production contractor for companies to be in charge of work stages where its technologies are applied. The cost of production carried out by the institute is lower than the cost of production carried out by companies. The institute has cooperated with companies that apply its technologies to invest in many projects.
Scientific research and technological renovation have brought in good results. For example, the institute has researched and successfully applied the mechanization technology in extracting coal from thick, 45-degree steep seams in the coal-pits of Quang Ninh Province. Specifically, in July 2007, the institute operated the KDT-1 complex of roof supports and AM-50Z combines to extract coal from Seam 7 in the Tay Vang Danh coal-mine. The capacity of coal extraction at this mine has reached 5,802 tonnes per month with the average productivity hitting 2.84-12.61 tonnes per day. Occupational safety is ensured.
Also in 2007, with a research project aiming to choose a suitable mechanization technology and design, manufacture a suitable type of powered roof supports for use in extracting coal from thick, 35-degree steep seams in Quang Ninh Province, the institute cooperated with ALTA, a firm of the Czech Republic, to extract coal from the Vang Danh mine. Investment in equipment and technology for this cooperation project totaled VND174.2 billion, of which VND40 billion was invested by the institute. For 16 months, the coal extraction output totaled 243,500 tonnes.
Following the success of the above mentioned project, in 2009, the institute was assigned to carry it on at the Nam Mau Coal Company, with total investment capital of VND240 billion. So far, preparations have been completed and the mechanization technology is being applied in extracting coal from Seam 6 of the Than Thung mine.
Reality shows that cooperation between science and technology organizations and businesses is beneficial to both sides. And this is one of the important factors boosting the development of the coal sector in particular and other industries in general.
Nguồn:VEN
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