SUSTAINABLE MINERAL MINING IN THE 4.0 ERA
- Green Movement
- Mar 19, 2021
- 3 min read
In the context of increasingly difficult conditions for the exploitation of mineral resources, the promotion of scientific and technological development and the application of technical advances to production plays an important role in the economic growth and development sustainability of the coal and mineral mining industry in Vietnam.
1. Shortcomings in mining activities
Currently, in the world, advanced mining technologies meet the requirement of focusing on intelligent technology for the exploration and assessment of reserves, including geophysical assessment; technology that allows the implementation of a continuous mining system to become a viable option in ore mining and rock removal; clean technology and waste use and environmentally friendly waste reuse; mineral sorting technology allows to further improve the rate of mineral recovery; The technology allows exploitation in complex geological-mine conditions, and at the same time ensuring environmental friendliness.
In our country, there are over 60 different types of minerals. Compared to the world, Vietnam can be classified as a group of rich mineral potentials. However, the exploitation of mineral resources in recent years still has many shortcomings and irrationalities, which are:
Damage and waste of natural resources: Most exploiting and processing products of minerals in Vietnam are mainly concentrated in ore products, with low value and efficiency, not commensurate with the value of minerals. Up to now, only the final products (metals) have been processed deeply for minerals such as zinc, copper, iron, and antimony. The loss of resources in the mining process remains high, especially in underground mines and mines that are managed locally. Some investigations and studies show that the loss of mineral exploitation such as pit coal mining, loss of 40-60%; exploiting apatite 26 - 43%; metal ores 15-30%; construction materials 15 - 20%; oil and gas is 50-60%. Due to the low level of mechanization, most small mines today only get the richest parts, leaving all poor ores and associated minerals wasting resources. Losses in mineral processing are high. For example, in gold mining, the recovery of gold ore, the recovery of gold ore in processing (total recovery) is only about 30% - 40%, which means more than half is discharged into the landfill, causing pollution. serious environmental contamination.
Environmental quality of water and wastewater in areas with mineral activities: Many mines and mining areas have caused serious problems of water pollution due to mine wastewater during the production process. handling. Many landfills without treatment facilities have filled gardens, rivers, streams, polluted water sources, and the riverbed was deposited causing floods. For liquid waste, the wastewater's composition and properties are acidic, containing heavy metals and minerals.
2. Achievements in applying technology to mineral exploitation
That is the research and application of various types for anti-hydraulic in coal mining. From March 1998, for the first time, the single hydraulic column was studied and applied to keep the kiln in the 8-pillar West Vang Danh. The success of this pilot project has created a "technical revolution" because of the anti-hydraulicization, changing the appearance of the former market kilns against wood: increasing labor productivity, reducing coal loss, improving safety, contributing to protecting the ecological environment by eliminating deforestation for wood against kilns.
Methane has been identified as the "enemy" of miners. The methane gas explosion control and prevention technology have been one of the most important breakthroughs in more than 10 years. The project "Vietnam Coal Mine Management Center", funded by the Japanese Government for the Vietnam coal industry, was implemented from 2001 to 2006. Through this project, we have built has strong technical and technological potentials in gas control and management with 11 national-standard laboratories, with a full range of modern equipment and a team of highly qualified research staff has mastered the technologies of assessing methane content in coal seams, controlling, analyzing ventilation and monitoring underground mine gas.
In the field of coal and mineral sorting and processing, outstanding results are the successful research and application in practical production of coal sorting technology by rotating drum suspension, spontaneous suspension, coal sorting technology in the gas environment, technology for the production of bricks and building materials from waste oxide of coal sorting plants, production technology and fuel combustion of water coal suspension from bad quality coal to provide industrial boilers to replace lump coal and diesel oil.
The research results have contributed to helping to guide Vietnamese mining scientists and technologies in the research and development of the domestic water mining industry in a comprehensive and sustainable manner, responding to climate change and the industrial revolution 4.0.
Le Thi Bao Uyen
References
Anonymous (2021). “Khai thac khoang san ben vung trong giai doan 4.0”. Retrieved from http://lilama18-1.com.vn/khai-thac-khoang-san-ben-vung-trong-giai-doan-4-0.html?fbclid=IwAR2uScF4muglPO1GUOLoIuOEAUJ9YTsW5WHJeyt6UpUHt7RAYkvZF_FUACc
Anonymous (2020) “Hoat dong khoa hoc va cong nghe mo: Thanh tuu noi bat va nhung van de can giai quyet". Retrieved from https://geosimco.vn/hoat-dong-khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-mo-thanh-tuu-noi-bat-va-nhung-van-de-can-tiep-tuc-giai-quyet
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