Precious metal mines in Thanh Hoa have repeatedly caught the eye of Chinese enterprises.

According to the “People’s Public Security” and “Vietnam Coal – Minerals Group” (Vinacomin), Thanh Hoa is considered a locality that does not have much potential for ore. Geological documents show that there are only a few weathered ore spots mainly used as cement additives. But nature endowed Thanh with chromite ore (chromium oxide mineral), this is the only mine in Vietnam and the largest mine in Southeast Asia, with reserves of 22-25 million tons.

Chromium is the main ore for the production of chromium and chromium compounds. With an important role in metallurgy, chromium is considered the soul of corrosion-resistant and surface-polishing steels. Notably, chromium is also a metal with high application value in many manufacturing industries. The exploitation and use of chromium is of great significance for Vietnam in particular and the world in general.

What is chromium?

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Chromium (Cr) is an important metal with many applications in the metal, chemical, and refractory industries. Chromium is considered one of America’s most important and strategic resources. The use of chromium in iron, steel and non-ferrous alloys enhances hardness and resistance to corrosion and oxidation. The use of chromium to produce stainless steel and non-ferrous alloys are two of its most important uses. Other uses are in alloy steels, metal plating, pigments, leather treatments, catalysts, surface treatments and refractories.

Chromium is an important metal.

Chromium compounds were also discovered when excavating the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang. Some swords have been found with blades covered with a layer of chromium compound 10 – 15 micrometers thick and it even protected the swords from the oxidizing agents of the environment from the outside in. over 2000 years. Although ancient people only “accidentally” used materials containing chromium, it surprised many scientists because it was not until the early 1900s that humanity discovered a technique to use chromium to make anti-corrosion coating. wear for metal materials.

Chromium is ranked as the 21st most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and is often mined in nature as chromite ore. Almost half of the world’s chromite ore is currently mined in South Africa, with Kazakhstan, India and Turkey also being significant producing regions.

Mining of chromite ore in the world (unit: tons). South Africa produces nearly half of the world’s output, followed by Turkey, India, and Finland. According to USGS, Vietnam does not have enough data for statistics.

Hardest metal in the world

Chromium is the hardest metal in the world and has excellent scratch resistance. In stainless steel, chromium content accounts for at least 10.5% or more. The higher the percentage of chromium, the more resistant the stainless steel is to corrosion and oxidation.

At normal temperature, the chromium layer helps stainless steel almost not oxidize when exposed to air, steam, sea water, acids and alkalis… Thanks to this property, this is the preferred material in industry. manufactures cars, ships, medical instruments and machine parts. In addition, they are also used as anti-corrosion devices in reactors, chemical tanks or household appliances and furniture.

Chromite mine in Vietnam

According to documents, chromite placer Co Dinh, Thanh Hoa was discovered by the French in 1927 and started to be exploited in 1930.

Co Dinh – Thanh Hoa chromite mine has been exploited since 1956. This mine has witnessed more than 66 years of existence and development, through many ups and downs: changing management unit, changing production and business methods. business, change investment, exploit…

In 2019, Mintal Group (HongKong – China) expressed its interest to invest in a $2 billion Ferrochorom Carbon, stainless steel and non-ferrous metal factory in Thanh Hoa. It is known that Mintal is one of the world’s leading corporations in the production of Ferrochrom Carbon, stainless steel and non-ferrous metals. Mintal currently has factories producing these types of products in China, South Africa and Pakistan. The total export product of these products on the world market is currently ranked 3rd in the world.

Regarding production technology, Mr. Tao Jing, Group General Director, said that Mintal is applying production according to the world’s most advanced technology from Finland in terms of Ferrochrom Carbon production and stainless steel and metal production technology. Japanese color. Mr. Tao Jing wishes to be interested by the leaders of Thanh Hoa province, creating favorable conditions for the group to consider and invest in the Ferrochrom Carbon, stainless steel and non-ferrous metal factory in Nghi Son Economic Zone.

However, so far, there is no further information about this project.

Also in 2019, according to Vietnam Real Estate Magazine, on June 14, 2019, Thanh Long Jiangsu Industrial and Commercial Co., Ltd (China) submitted an application to buy 66.67% shares. part of Atlantic Company Limited at Cromit Nam Viet Joint Stock Company.

Cromit Nam Viet Joint Stock Company (headquartered at Thong Dat Thanh, Van Son commune, Trieu Son district, Thanh Hoa) was granted the certificate of joint-stock enterprise registration number 2801172029 by the Department of Planning and Investment on the first day of registration. September 23, 2008, registered for the 5th change on December 20, 2012.

Cromit Nam Viet Joint Stock Company has been operating since 2010. However, due to various reasons, the unit had to stop its production and business activities from November 2012.

The Investment Newspaper frankly pointed out the lack of ferrochrome projects in Thanh Hoa, stating:

“The production line of Nam Viet Chromium Joint Stock Company often has furnace problems or produces products of unsatisfactory quality; chromium content in ferrochrome is only 55-58%, while for export must reach at least 68%, leading to low product prices, inefficient business and business closure”.

According to Vietnam Real Estate Magazine, by September 2019, Thanh Hoa province has not had a final opinion on the proposal of Thanh Long Giang To Industrial and Commercial Co., Ltd. to buy back 66.67% of shares of Thanh Long. Dai Duong Company Limited at Cromit Nam Viet Joint Stock Company, to make Nam Viet become a 100% foreign owned enterprise and implement the Nam Viet Ferrochrom factory project in Van Son commune, Trieu Son district.

However, it can be seen that Chinese enterprises have a great degree of interest in an important mineral mine in Vietnam.

T&G International Joint Stock Company

Address: 352 Hue Street, Le Dai Hanh Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi

Hotline: 0345786803

Email: hrm@tginterjsc.com

Website: http://tginternationaljsc.com