On March 28, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Quy Kien chaired the Ceremony to announce the results of the Project "Overall survey on minerals and completion of the 1/50,000 scale geological map of the Northwest region to serve the planning of sustainable socio-economic development" (Northwest Project).
Discovering many rare mineral mines
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's Information Portal, at the announcement ceremony, Mr. Tran Binh Trong, Director of the Department of Geology and Mineral Resources, said that in 2017, the Prime Minister approved the Northwest Project. This is one of the largest basic geological survey projects in the country, with a large scale, diverse subjects, and an implementation period of nearly 8 years.
At the end of 2024, the Northwest Project has completed the entire assigned volume. Notably, the units implementing the Project have created a mineral geological map at a scale of 1:000,000 over 13,081 km2; implemented 498 drilling holes with a total depth of more than 46,000 meters, of which 90% of the drilling holes encountered ore bodies - a very high rate.
According to Mr. Tran Binh Trong, an important achievement of the Project is the discovery and evaluation of 110 mineral mines, including 25 different types such as rare earth, tin-wolfram, gold, copper, antimon, artisan stone, industrial limestone... Including 17 large-scale mines, 43 medium-sized mines and 50 small mines - exceeding the original target by double.
The project has also identified 7 areas with deep mineral prospects, forecasted 15 magma distribution areas with strategic mineral potential; conducted detailed investigations of 3 tropical areas in Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Son La; discovered valuable geological sites and geological landscapes.
In particular, the Project has completed a geological - mineral map at a scale of 1:250,000 for the entire Northern region and Nghe An province, collecting 14 typical sample sets and handing them over to the provinces for use.
In particular, a result of long-term strategic significance is the construction and standardization of the geological and mineral database of the Northwest region. Map data, survey results, analysis samples, mine information and ore points have been digitized and integrated into a centralized, modern database system. This system allows for quick lookup, flexible sharing and online connection, aiming to build a national digital geology foundation.
The Northwest Project is of great significance
Deputy Minister Tran Quy Kien assessed that the Northwest Project is of great significance, contributing to providing a scientific and practical basis for the exploitation and reasonable use of mineral resources and serving the goal of sustainable development in the Northwest region.
After 8 years of implementation, the Project has completed a large amount of work, many goals exceeding the set goals, in particular, clarifying the potential of mineral resources, evaluating the resources of 110 mines belonging to 25 important minerals.
The achieved results of the Project are the persistent efforts, enthusiasm and intelligence of many individuals and groups. The success of the Project is the result of a journey full of hardship, perseverance and passion. After each slope, each forest road is the sweat, effort and even the silent sacrifice of the geologists, Deputy Minister Tran Quy Kien welcomed and acknowledged.
According to Deputy Minister Tran Quy Kien, the Northwest is a region with a strategic position in terms of geopolitics, economy and environment, and is also a place with rich mineral potential. However, the ineffective and sustainable exploitation and use of resources is posing challenges in the management of mineral resources here.
Therefore, to maximize the results of the investigation, as well as promote the great potential of mineral resources, Deputy Minister Tran Quy Kien suggested that localities need to use the geological - mineral database that has been handed over to serve socio-economic development planning, attract investment and ensure sustainable mineral exploitation.
