Test run underway at Nhan Co bauxite ore plant hinh anh 1A corner of the Nhan Co bauxite refinery plant. (Photo: VNA)

The Nhan Co bauxite refinery plant in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong is running test productions through the end of September, said Head of the project’s management board Nguyen Thanh Liem on July 30.

Constructed within a 65-hectare mine, the plant is designed to process more than 1.8 tonnes of ore each year.

Ore reserves at the mine are estimated at around 60 million tonnes, capable of supplying bauxite for the aluminium production plant for 30 years.

The bauxite plant was initiated by the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) on September 15, 2013 at a total cost of 900 billion VND (41.2 million USD).

It consists of an ore refinery plant and a 5-kilometre conveyor belt covered by corrugated iron to protect the environment.

Once fully operational, the plant will offer about 150 employment opportunities for local residents, including those from ethnic minority groups.-VNA