Research from the US Department of Defense
According to a study by the US Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC), an archive of research and technical information under the US Department of Defense, Vietnam has great potential strengths in terms of natural resources and especially rare earths.
Research has shown the advantages as well as how Vietnam and the US can utilize these resources to benefit the world.
Here are some excerpts from the study:
Vietnam possesses huge untapped mineral resources, in which it is necessary to mention rare earth elements. These elements in Vietnam are often found in association with naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) including uranium.
Vietnam has a national strategic goal of increasing exploration and exploitation of mineral resources “in order to ensure sustainable socio-economic development, national defense and security”.
Vietnam also has an ambitious plan to boost its domestic nuclear power generation capacity. China’s near-monopoly dominance over the world supply of rare earths today – a position that China created and leveraged through its export quota system has kept rare earth prices stable. “virtual” high prices.
This has prompted several agencies, including the US Congress, to question whether China’s control of rare earths poses a strategic threat to the US.
Because rare earths are needed for many key components of defense-related applications – such as the guidance and control systems for Predator drones and electric motors in the F -35 – finding additional supplies should alleviate these concerns.
Thanks to the characteristics of rare earth ores in Vietnam, Vietnam can be a great source of alternative rare earths that the US and its allies are looking for. Processing ores containing these elements – through recycling – can also produce uranium oxides suitable for further processing into fuel.
This can help Vietnam achieve its nuclear power development target. The US and Vietnam will do well to pursue and cooperate in developing and exploiting Vietnam’s rare earth mines and NORM ores for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Break the monopoly
In the context that China has a near monopoly on global rare earth production, the combination of high prices and sharply reduced supply will set the stage for new countries to enter the rare earth market, helping to satisfy the daily demand. globally for these strategic resources. Vietnam has a position to become a country that plays an important role in becoming a major source of rare earths in the future.
Rare earth deposits in Vietnam Cac was discovered since 1958, including two large ore bodies in Lai Chau province, as well as placer of lesser value in some coastal areas. Geological survey and assessment was carried out from 1958-1969 at the two ore bodies of Nam Xe and Dong Pao.
As rare earth oxides have only limited economic value at this time, Vietnam has not taken measures to develop mines and before 1990 only extracted 100 tons of rare earth oxides in a cooperative joint venture with Ba Ria – Vung Tau. Lan, Czechoslovakia and East Germany, mainly for testing and experimental purposes.
In the years since, other major rare earth mines have been located at: Muong Hum in Lao Cai province and at Yen Phu in Yen Bai province.
Although there are no full assay reports for the following findings, available data suggest that these ore bodies contain proven reserves and have a minimum reserve of 11 million tons of rare earth oxides, which are broken down as follows: Nam Xe – 7.7 million tons; Dong Pao – 3.17 million tons; Muong Hum – 400,000 tons and Yen Phu – 5,000 tons.
Sampling and evaluation studies have shown that the Nam Xe mines have actual reserves of rare earth oxides 10 million tons more than stated.
Thus, it can be seen that rare earth reserves in Vietnam are very large, and the economic benefits that this mineral brings are still not fully estimated.
(Continue…)
at Blogtuan.info – Source: Soha.vn – Read the original article here
