The Ben Den rare earth exploitation project (in the area of Gia Phu and Bao Thang communes, Lao Cai province) has an area of over 398 hectares, with an exploitation period of 20 years, with an investment capital of about 119 billion VND.
The project is invested by Khanh An Industrial Joint Stock Company (headquartered in Xuan Dinh Ward, Hanoi).
On August 13, according to the reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper in Giao Binh village, Gia Phu commune, around the rare earth exploitation area are vast green cinnamon hills.
Following a small path, it seems that the reporter is seeing that part of the hill has been cut out to serve the exploitation and finding of ore samples.
According to observations, around this rare earth mine area, there are factories, along with a series of ore refineries.
Ms. Bui Thi Hao (residing in Gia Phu commune, Lao Cai province) said: "This area has had a unit exploring rare earths for many years, and there were also mineral samples discovered. However, the exploitation project has not been implemented.
Exploitation of rare earths helps develop the economy, but also has a great impact on the environment and surrounding ecosystems. Therefore, people hope that the government and relevant agencies will take specific measures to avoid affecting the lives of people".
It is known that last April, the People's Committee of Lao Cai province approved the Investment Project for the construction of the Ben Den rare earth exploitation project.
The project has a total area of over 398 hectares, of which the exploitation area is nearly 395 hectares, the auxiliary area is nearly 3.7 hectares.
To implement the project, there will be about 150 households within the affected area. The investor affirmed that it will negotiate, compensate and resettle according to current legal regulations.
According to records, the project implementation area does not have natural forests, but mainly industrial crops such as cinnamon, acacia, etc.
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) report of the Ben Den rare earth exploitation project is currently being widely consulted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
According to the plan, in the first year of the project, the capacity will be trialled at 150 tons/year. From the second year to the 13th year, the capacity peaked at 1,500 tons/year, then gradually decreased to 1,000 tons/year (14-19 years) and ended in the 20th year with 272 tons/year.
Due to the application of on-site separation technology, mining activities will only take place in the dry season, lasting 180200 days/year, depending on the actual weather.
Through research, Khanh An Industrial Joint Stock Company is implementing a factory to make materials from rare and clean earths located in Lach Huyen International Port Area, Hai Phong on an area of 28,000m2.
This plant has been granted an investment certificate and is expected to be put into trial operation in October 2026, deep processing of ore starch from Ben Den mine.
According to the assessment of functional sectors, the Ben Den rare earth project is in line with the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.
This is one of the strategic steps for Vietnam to develop the rare earth industry, making the most of the potential of resources in Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai - provinces rich in key minerals.
