Vietnam ’s Quang Trung Co. Ltd will initially invest 2 million USD in exploring for barite ore in Laos ’ central Khammuon province’s Boualapha district over the next 12 months.

A contract to this effect was signed in Vientiane on January 14 between Laos ’ Planning and Investment Deputy Minister Thongmy Phomvixay and the Director of the Quang Trung Co. Ltd Tran Quang Tuan.

The company will also look at the feasibility of building an on site plant to process the ore.

Tuan pledged to abide by Laos ’ laws and apply advanced and environmentally friendly technologies during the projects lifespan, which is expected to be 25 years./.