PM asks to expand Tan Rai bauxite-aluminium complex

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has pledged to provide any necessary support for Tan Rai bauxite – aluminium complex in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, saying that it has performed up to expectations since its trial operations began in October 2013.

Invested by the Vietnam Coal and Minerals Industry Group (Vinacomin), the complex includes a bauxite mining plant, a sorting facility, and an aluminium plant with a capacity of 650,000 tonnes annually.

Holding a working session with Vinacomin and the complex’s management board in Lam Dong on February 10th, the leader said the complex has added about VND3.5 trillion (USD166 million) to the national industrial production value and VND200 billion (USD9.5 million) to the local State budget in 2014.

If it ran at full capacity, it would likely contribute more than VND4.5 trillion (USD214 million) to the industrial production value, he said.

The complex raked in about 160 million USD from the export of 490,000 tonnes of aluminium last year. It targets 540,000 tonnes this year and has already signed contracts with clients from Switzerland, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, China, and Hong Kong.

In the domestic market, consumption deals have been reached with nearly 20 firms in construction materials and chemical industries nationwide.

Nearly 1,200 jobs were generated with an average monthly salary of VND6 million (USD280).

The leader suggested expanding operations by allowing strategic private investors to become stakeholders in the business.

He also requested the complex focus on protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of “red mud” – or bauxite residue reservoirs.

The PM’s visit to Lam Dong is part of his ongoing tour of several Central Highlands provinces./.

VNF/VNA