Huge titanium processing complex proposed in Binh Thuan

The Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam is seeking government approval for a 100-square-kilometer complex to tap titanium ores in the south-central coast province of Binh Thuan.

Tran Van Mien, head of the department’s Geology Office, told the Daily on Tuesday that the ministry had discovered a titanium mine with reserves estimated at 540 million tonnes, which encompasses Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces. Most of the ores found are sparsely located in coastal areas in Binh Thuan.

“The department has suggested building the complex to extract and process up to 150 million tonnes of titanium ores,” said Mien. “The remaining 300 million tonnes should be kept as a national reserve resource for the coming generations.”

He said the appropriate exploitation and the complete processing of titanium would create a key economic development driver for the three provinces in the future.

Mien noted the region had in recent years attracted many investors committed to other industries than titanium but in fact they wanted to tap huge titanium ores. In some areas, haphazard titanium mining has spiralled out of control and caused damages to the economy and environment.

“If government approval is forthcoming, this will become the largest titanium complex in the country,” he said. The project planned for development in Tuy Phong District will need huge capital.

According to environment experts, Vietnam has huge titanium potential. Titanium is a heat-resistant and uneroded agent suitable for the aeronautical industry and other industries.

The precious mineral, however, is hindering economic development in Binh Thuan Province because most of the areas found to contain titanium overlap many licensed industrial parks, resorts and wind mill projects in the province. – SGT

Tags: titanium

Posted by VBN on Jun 25 2011. Filed under Mining & Metal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry