The mining industry plays a critical role in securing a sustainable future for our planet. Mining provides the essential resources needed to create the renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, green construction materials, medical devices and space technologies that will guide the world’s sustainable economic and social development across the next century.
 |
| Australian METS delegation to Vietnam |
To reduce impacts on the environment and secure a social license to operate, mining must look to new technologies, processes and business models in its pursuit of sustainability. In this pursuit, Australian METS companies are natural partners for the global mining industry, including Vietnam.
During the Australia-Vietnam Green Economy Summit in Ho Chi Minh City on 16 April, Ms Rebecca Ball, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade affirmed: “Australia can further support Vietnam’s ambitions to develop more sustainable mining practices through upskilling the labor force, implementing ESG practices and applying Australian METS solutions to reduce carbon emissions from mining operations, improve mine water management and investigate opportunities to take mine waste and turn it into valuable building materials.”
The Australian METS sector has been at the forefront of developing and implementing innovative practices and cutting-edge technologies for mining operations around the world.
 |
| Australian delegates consulting Vietnamese participants at Mining Vietnam 2024 |
The key Australian businesses participating at this year’s Mining Vietnam Exhibition and Conference include internationally experienced suppliers of: underground communications equipment (Nautitech); aerial survey/mapping technology (Xcalibur Smart Mapping); specialist mine engineering services and equipment, minerals processing and extracting technologies (Mincore, Mineral Technologies, Blackstone Minerals); industrial process fluids (Quaker Houghton Australia); water solutions, pump, maintenance, consumables, mineral processing equipment (Weir); and innovative/sustainable mine extraction and material processing technology (Ekion). The move aims to help Vietnamese mining operations develop and improve safety, sustainability, productivity and efficiency.
In terms of mining investment in Vietnam, Australian firm – Blackstone Minerals – is also developing the Ta Khoa Nickel-Cooper-PGE project, located 160km west of Hanoi in the Son La Province of Vietnam, which includes an existing modern nickel mine built to Australian standards.
This project is an integrated upstream (Ta Khoa Nickel Project) and downstream (Ta Khoa Refinery Project) battery metals processing business in Vietnam that produce NCM Precursor products for Asia’s growing Lithium-ion battery industry. The Ban Phuc nickel mine successfully operated as a mechanized underground nickel mine from 2013 to 2016 and was built by an Australian construction contractor at international standard.
 |
| Weir's booth at Mining Vietnam presents their water solutions and mineral processing equipment |
Another area of cooperation between Australia and Vietnam is the upskilling of local labor; sustainable and responsible mining practices lead to professions in environmental management, community engagement and social responsibility to mitigate the impact of mining operations.
Austrade also released an industry capability statement showcasing Australia’s expertise and examples in equipping the green economy transition workforce with essential skills in renewable energy, sustainable mining, hydrogen and bioenergy, transport, manufacturing and carbon management and abatement sectors.
Ms Rebecca Ball affirmed, “The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and Vietnam shows there is strong support for businesses to build partnerships, particularly in the resources and advanced industrial material sectors. These are required for energy transition targets and will continue to support the resource value chain linkages between Australia and Vietnam, leading to increased business partnerships in the future. We look forward to working closely with our partners in Vietnam to further strengthen our enduring partnership in mining and METS, for the benefit of both our countries.”
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources also recently signed a MoU on the establishment of the ministerial-level dialogue on energy and minerals at Australia-ASEAN Special Summit in March 2023 that looks to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the above-mentioned sectors./.