Decision No. 33/2007/QĐ-BCN Approving the Master Plan for Exploration, Exploitation, Processing, and Utilization of Chromite and Manganese Ores for the Period 2007-2015 with a Vision to 2025

Pursuant to …;

Approving the zoning plan for exploration, exploitation, processing, and utilization of chromite and manganese ores for the period 2007-2015, with a vision to 2025

THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY

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- Based on the Law on Government Organization dated December 25, 2001;

- Based on Circular No. 3174/VPCP-CN dated June 11, 2007 of the Government Office regarding the review and approval of strategies and plans;

- Considering the proposal of the Director of the Machinery, Metallurgy, and Chemical Department;

Approves the "Zoning Plan for Exploration, Exploitation, Processing, and Utilization of Chromite and Manganese Ores for the Period 2007-2015, with a Vision to 2025" with the main contents as follows:

DECISION:

Article 1. I. Views      

1. The development of the industry of exploitation and processing of chromite and manganese ores must be consistent with the potential and reserves of chromite and manganese mineral resources already surveyed and explored, the planning for industrial development in Vietnam, and the economic and social development planning of localities, ensuring harmony between national and local interests where these minerals are located.

2. Development should proceed in stages to ensure stability and sustainability in the industry of exploitation and processing of chromite and manganese ores based on rational, economical, and efficient use of national chromite and manganese resources.

3. The development of the industry of exploitation and processing of chromite and manganese ores must be consistent with the requirements for consolidating national defense and security, protecting valuable cultural works, and preserving the ecological environment in areas where these minerals are located.

4. Deep processing of chromite and manganese ores should primarily rely on domestic capabilities while also seeking international cooperation in terms of capital, technology, and expertise. Ensuring sufficient supply of ferrochrome, bichromate, ferromanganese, and EMD dioxide to meet domestic needs, with a reasonable portion of processed products and concentrates for export.

II. Development Objectives

Ensuring effective and sustainable exploration, exploitation, and processing of chromite and manganese resources, meeting the demand for deep-processed chromite and manganese products for the metallurgical industry and other industries, with a reasonable portion of concentrates for export during the initial phase when investment in concentrate production and deep processing is not yet fully synchronized. Restoring order in resource management and protection, ensuring thorough, economical exploitation of resources, safety in mining operations, and preservation of the ecological environment in areas where these minerals are located.

1. General objectives

Specific targets regarding production volumes of exploitation and deep-processed chromite and manganese products are as follows:

2. Specific objectives

Production volume

1. Resources

1.1. Chromite Ore

- Estimated reserves and forecasted resources of chromite ore are approximately 25 million tons, including 21 million tons at the C2 level and 4.0 million tons at the P1 level. The chromite ore reserves in Vietnam are mainly concentrated in Thanh Hoa Province.

- Exploration solution: Supplemental exploration to upgrade the reserves of the Co Ding mine and other points in Thanh Hoa Province to ensure reliability for the exploitation and deep processing of chromite ore in Thanh Hoa.

1.2. Manganese Ore

- Estimated reserves and forecasted resources of manganese ore are approximately 11.1 million tons, including 4.4 million tons at the C2 level and 6.7 million tons at the P1+P2 level. The manganese ore reserves in Vietnam are mainly concentrated in Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, and Ha Giang Provinces.

- Exploration solution: Intensify exploration of the Lung Luong, Roong Thay, and Ban Khuong mines in Cao Bang Province with a target of 1.5 million tons of manganese ore by 2007-2015. Followed by the Hat Pan and Noc Cu mines in Cao Bang, and Phieng Lang and Thang Giap mines in Tuyen Quang, aiming for a reserve of about 1.2 million tons.

2. Mining Planning

2.1. Medium and Small Mines

a) Chromite Ore

There are no small-scale mining targets.

b) Manganese Ore

Some mines in Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh Provinces have limited reserves (less than 100 thousand tons), distributed relatively independently, making it difficult to invest in modern equipment. The primary mining solution is open-pit mining, with mechanization levels appropriate to the scale of the mine, maximizing the extraction of manganese resources.

2.2. Industrial-Scale Mines

The Co Ding chromite mine in Thanh Hoa Province has large reserves, relatively concentrated, and favorable for investment in modern equipment. The mining solution involves completing modern mining technology (hydraulic or dredging methods) to upgrade the Tinh Me - An Thuong area. In the second phase, mining will shift to the Tinh Me - An Thuong area.

There are no small-scale mining targets.

Some mines in Tuyen Quang and Cao Bang Provinces have large reserves (over 100 thousand tons) and require focused exploration and upgrading, followed by investment in modern technology for industrial-scale mining, combining open-pit and underground methods, and maximizing resource extraction.

Some mines in Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh Provinces have limited reserves (less than 100 thousand tons), distributed relatively independently, making it difficult to invest in modern equipment. The primary mining solution is open-pit mining, with mechanization levels appropriate to the scale of the mine, maximizing the extraction of manganese resources.

2.3. Areas Prohibited from Mineral Activities and Restricted Mineral Activities for Chromite and Manganese

The People's Committee of provinces and cities with chromite and manganese resources shall take the lead, coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors, delineate prohibited and restricted mineral activity zones, and submit them for approval by the Prime Minister.

3. Processing Planning

Deep processing of chromite ore to produce ferrochrome, bichromate, and chrome-magnesia refractory materials, and processing of manganese ore to produce ferromanganese and electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) for supply to the metallurgical industry and other industries, and for export.

3.1. Processing of Chromite Ore

Invest in improving the ferrochrome smelting technology of existing facilities of the Thai Nguyen Steel Alloy Plant and the Tan An Joint Stock Company - Ninh Binh Ferrochrome Plant to increase capacity from 3,000 tons/year to 8,000-10,000 tons/year.

Invest in new ferrochrome and bichromate processing plants at the Co Ding mine and industrial zones in Thanh Hoa Province, with a planned ferrochrome capacity of 20,000 tons/year and bichromate capacity of approximately 10,000 tons/year.

Continue investment in the second phase (after 2015) to improve product quality. Ferrochrome production capacity of 200,000 tons/year and bichromate production capacity of 50,000 tons/year.

3.2. Processing of Manganese Ore

3.2. Processing manganese ore

The processing plants are expected to be distributed in the following two regions:

- The medium and small scale region includes Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, and Ha Tinh with limited ore reserves, implementing investments on a medium and small scale.

- The Thai Nguyen and Cao Bang region for deep industrial processing.

Currently, both processing regions have smelting workshops for feromanganese or concentrators for 45% Mn concentrate that are in operation.

a. Investment in feromanganese production from 2007 to 2015

It is planned to upgrade and expand existing feromanganese factories in Cao Bang and Thai Nguyen to increase capacity from 7,000 tons/year to 10,000 tons/year.

New investments will establish two feromanganese factories in Cao Bang and Tuyen Quang, with a projected capacity of 30,000 tons/year.

By 2015, it is anticipated that the feromanganese production volume will reach 40,000 tons/year.

b. Investment in feromanganese production from 2015 to 2025

Further investment in the second phase (after 2015) will enhance product quality and output at the feromanganese factory in Hoa An, Cao Bang, and the feromanganese factory in Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen, aiming for a capacity of 70,000 tons/year by 2025.

c. New investment in EMD factories

New investments will establish three high-tech EMD production factories in Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, and Ha Tinh to fully utilize waste and low-grade ores for domestic supply and export, with a total capacity of 5,000 tons/year in phase one and 20,000 tons/year in phase two.

4. Investment cooperation solutions

Cooperate in investing in modern technology for chromium ore exploitation and processing at Co Dinh, ensuring maximum resource extraction while protecting the environment according to advanced standards, producing high-quality ferrochrome and sodium dichromate products for domestic demand and export. Select partners with substantial resources for large-scale investment in exploitation and processing to improve product quality and competitiveness. For manganese ores, primarily domestic companies will invest in exploitation and processing.

5. Capital investment requirements

5.1 Chromium Ore

The total estimated investment during the planning phase is 37,250 billion VND, including 40 billion VND for exploration work; 917 billion VND for exploitation and concentration; and 2,768 billion VND for processing (for bicromate and ferrochrome production).

5.2 Manganese Ore

The total estimated investment during the planning phase is 21,400 billion VND, including 55 billion VND for exploration work; 464 billion VND for exploitation and concentration; and 1,325 billion VND for processing.

Sources of investment: Combine various sources of capital such as self-raised funds by enterprises, commercial loans domestically and internationally, shares of shareholders, and funds raised from the securities market.

12/2025/TT-BNNMT dated June 19, 2025 issued by the Minister of Agriculture and EnvironmentImplementation

1. The Ministry of Industry shall perform state management functions over the mining and processing industry and be responsible for announcing and directing the implementation of the Plan after approval. Regularly update and keep the implementation situation current and adjust the Plan to ensure consistency and suitability with national economic and social development and the integration process. Propose mechanisms and policies to develop a stable and sustainable mining and processing industry for chromium and manganese ores.

2. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall perform state management functions over geological surveys and exploration of chromium and manganese ores. Establish and submit to the Prime Minister for approval the basic geological survey plan regarding chromium and manganese mineral resources, organize its implementation, select and assign organizations with sufficient resources and experience to explore, exploit, and process chromium and manganese ores according to the Plan.

3. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance, within their respective functions and responsibilities, shall balance the budget to support the construction of technical infrastructure outside the mine boundaries for major chromium and manganese mines such as Thanh Hoa, Cao Bang, and Thai Nguyen.

4. Provincial People's Committees shall be responsible for managing and protecting chromium and manganese ore resources within their jurisdictions, preventing illegal exploitation and export of minerals. Organize and submit to the People's Council at the same level for approval the exploration, exploitation, processing, and utilization plans for chromium and manganese ores for mines under their licensing authority.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 4. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, and Chairmen of provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees are responsible for implementing this Decision./.