Vietnam is expected to pour the investment in seven bauxite mining and alumina production projects with estimated capital of hundreds of millions of dollars upward, said Doan Van Kien, general director of the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) on Thursday.

The group has also planned to invest or cooperate with partners, after 2010, in building an alumina refinery with annual capacity of 100,000 tons of alumina and investment of 250-300 million dollars in central highlands Lam Dong province, and two others with capacity of 300,000 tons and capital of 750-900 million dollars each in central Binh Thuan province, and northern Quang Ninh province.

The group has also planned to build a railway with expected investment of 1.2 -1.3 billion dollars and a seaport worth some 360 million dollars to serve aluminum production in the central highlands and south central regions.

China's leading mining firm, Chalco, has recently agreed to contribute 40 percent to a bauxite mining project worth 300 million dollars in central highlands Dac Nong province, with the state-run Vinacomin making up the remaining 60 percent.

Chalco would also hold share of 60 percent in a 1.1-billion dollar alumina refinery, which is expected to produce 1.9 million tons of alumina in the first phase and four million tons in the second one.

Source: Xinhua