The Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (Vinacomin) should focus on increasing production to ensure sufficient domestic coal supply and reduce the risks of an energy shortage.

Speaking at the January 13 conference on implementing the 2015 tasks, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said coal exploration and exploitation should work in tandem with development in other local economic sectors, such as the environment and tourism.

The Deputy PM requested Vinacomin apply advanced technology to increase productivity and efficiency, evaluate coal in reserves in the Red River Delta, while developing projects on aluminium, titanium, and other rare earth minerals.

The sector set a consumption plan of 38 million tonnes of coal, including three million tonnes for export, and an output of at least 8.6 billion kWh in 2015, said Vinacomin General Director Dang Thanh Hai.

The group expanded its production from the outset of this year to meet domestic demand while seeking coal resources for import to fuel power projects and meet domestic demand.

The group also aims to commence operations in two more subordinate factories, the Nhan Co-Dak Nong Alumin Factory and the Cao Bang cast iron and steel production Complex in the second half this year. It also focuses on increasing copper, ferrochrome, zinc, and tin production capacity, among others.-VNA