Northwest Vietnam’s mineral resources are being explored for sustainable development. On March 28th, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the results of the “Comprehensive Mineral Survey and Completion of 1/50,000 Geological Map of Northwest Vietnam” project. This project aims to serve sustainable economic and social development planning.

Director of the Geological and Mineral Resources Department, Trần Bình Trọng, stated that the project, approved by the Prime Minister in 2017, is one of the largest geological surveys in the country. Spanning a vast area and diverse targets, the project lasted nearly eight years.

After almost eight years of research, the project has completed all assigned tasks. Key accomplishments include the creation of a 1:50,000 scale geological mineral map covering 13,081 square kilometers, drilling 498 boreholes with a total depth exceeding 46,000 meters, and finding ore bodies in 90% of these boreholes.

A significant achievement is the discovery and assessment of 110 mineral deposits, encompassing 25 different types, such as rare earth elements, tin, tungsten, gold, copper, antimony, gemstones, and industrial limestone. Among these, 17 are large-scale, 43 are medium-scale, and 50 are small-scale deposits, exceeding initial targets. This underscores the rich mineral potential of the Northwest region.

The project also identified 15 potential areas for strategic mineral-bearing magma rocks and conducted detailed surveys of three geothermal areas in Điện Biên, Lai Châu, and Sơn La. Furthermore, it completed a 1:250,000 scale geological and mineral map for the entire northern region and Nghệ An province. The detailed and comprehensive research provides a robust scientific basis for the sustainable planning and development of the Northwest region.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Trần Quý Kiên praised the project’s significance, highlighting its provision of scientific and practical foundations for the rational exploitation and utilization of mineral resources, furthering the region’s sustainable development goals. He urged relevant agencies, local authorities, and businesses to enhance collaboration, adopt information technology and digital transformation in mineral resource management, and improve monitoring capabilities to prevent illegal mining and protect natural resources.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is committed to supporting and facilitating the application of research findings in practice, contributing significantly to the sustainable development of Northwest Vietnam and the nation as a whole.

March 28, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the results of the “Comprehensive Mineral Survey and Completion of a 1/50,000 Geological Map of Northwest Vietnam for Sustainable Economic and Social Development (Northwest Project).” This is a significant step in exploring and exploiting mineral resources, contributing to the socio-economic development of the Northwest region.

Overview of the Northwest Project

Approved by the Prime Minister in 2017, the Northwest Project is one of the largest fundamental geological surveys in the country. Spanning a vast area and diverse geological features, the project has been underway for nearly 8 years. Its primary objective is a comprehensive mineral survey and the completion of a geological map, thereby guiding sustainable development in the region.

Tran Binh Trong, Director of the Geological and Mineral Resources Department, stated that the project has fulfilled all assigned tasks. Notably, a 1:50,000 scale geological mineral map was created for an area of 13,081 square kilometers, involving 498 boreholes with a total depth exceeding 46,000 meters. 90% of these boreholes encountered mineral veins.

Key Achievements: 110 Mineral Deposits Discovered

One of the most significant achievements is the discovery and evaluation of 110 mineral deposits, representing 25 different types. These include rare minerals like rare earths, tin, tungsten, gold, copper, antimony, ornamental stones, and industrial limestone. Among these, 17 are large-scale deposits, 43 are medium-scale, and 50 are small-scale, surpassing the initial target.

Detailed surveys of three geothermal areas in Dien Bien, Lai Chau, and Son La, and the completion of a 1:250,000 scale geological and mineral map for the entire Northern region and Nghe An province, highlight the project’s effectiveness in comprehensively assessing mineral resources.

Significance and Future Directions

Ministerial-level official Tran Quy Kien commended the project’s significance, emphasizing its contribution to providing the scientific and practical basis for the rational exploitation and use of mineral resources to achieve sustainable development in the Northwest.

He urged relevant agencies, localities, and enterprises to strengthen cooperation, adopt information technology and digital transformation in resource management, enhance monitoring capabilities, and prevent illegal mining to protect natural resources.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is committed to further supporting and facilitating the application of research findings, positively contributing to the sustainable development of the Northwest and the nation as a whole.

Conclusion

The Northwest Project not only achieved significant results in mineral exploration but also established a scientific basis for sustainable development in the Northwest region. Strong collaboration between government agencies, enterprises, and local communities will be crucial for the rational exploitation and use of these valuable resources.

References

https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/phat-hien-110-mo-khoang-san-quy-o-tay-bac-20250328172106457.htm

On March 28th, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the findings of the “Comprehensive Mineral Survey and Completion of 1/50,000-Scale Geological Map of Northwest Vietnam, Supporting Sustainable Economic and Social Development.” This marks a significant step in exploiting and managing mineral resources in the Northwest, contributing substantially to the region’s sustainable development.

(Mineral discoveries in Northwest Vietnam – 1)

Director of the Geological and Mineral Resources Department, Trần Bình Trọng, stated that the project, approved by the Prime Minister in 2017, is one of the largest geological surveys in the country. It covers a vast area, diverse subjects, and took nearly 8 years to complete.

After nearly 8 years of research, the project has fulfilled all assigned tasks. A notable achievement is the creation of a 1:50,000-scale geological mineral map covering 13,081 square kilometers. 498 boreholes were drilled, totaling over 46,000 meters in depth, with 90% encountering ore bodies.

A significant outcome is the discovery and assessment of 110 mineral deposits, encompassing 25 different types, including rare earth elements, tin, tungsten, gold, copper, antimony, ornamental stones, and industrial limestone. Of these, 17 are large-scale deposits, 43 are medium-scale, and 50 are small-scale, exceeding initial targets. This highlights the abundant mineral potential of the Northwest region.

(Mineral discoveries in Northwest Vietnam – 2)

The project also identified 15 potential areas for strategic mineral deposits associated with magmatic rocks and detailed surveys of three geothermal areas in Điện Biên, Lai Châu, and Sơn La provinces. It also completed a 1:250,000-scale geological and mineral map for the entire Northern region and Nghệ An province. The detailed and comprehensive research results provide a strong scientific basis for the sustainable planning and development of the Northwest region.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Trần Quý Kiên, commended the project’s significance, emphasizing its provision of a scientific and practical basis for the rational exploitation and use of mineral resources, thereby serving the sustainable development goals of the region. He urged relevant agencies, local authorities, and businesses to enhance collaboration, apply information technology and digital transformation in managing mineral resources, and improve monitoring capabilities to prevent illegal mining and protect natural resources.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is committed to supporting and creating conditions for the practical application of the research findings, contributing significantly to the sustainable development of the Northwest region and the entire country.