Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged Thai Nguyen province to make full use of its advantages to become a big industrial centre of mining and metallurgy, construction material and supporting industries.

During his working visit to the province on Aug. 22, PM Dung also suggested that Thai Nguyen create favourable conditions for all economic sectors to join in developing industries and tourism.

He said Thai Nguyen should focus investment in infrastructure development, and review its economic restructuring plan with a focus on industrial zones in combination with urban centres and historical sites in connection with tourism development.

PM Dung heaped praise on the province’s comprehensive achievements in all areas in the first seven months of 2009, including a GDP growth rate of 7.52 percent, an industrial production value of over 5.5 trillion VND, up by 11.3 percent year-on-year.

Regarding the province’s largest FDI project, the Nui Phao mining project, the PM said the joint-venture project has been delayed too long.

The licence for the 147 million USD project was granted to the Nui Phao Joint Venture Company on February 2004, but it has so far yet to start.

After investigating the site and hearing reports from the local authorities, investors and relevant ministries, PM Dung asked the province and authorised agencies to revoke its licence.

The Nui Phao mine, which contains wolfram, fluoride, bismuth, copper and gold, spreads over an acreage of 45 sq.km in eastern area of Dai Tu town, Dai Tu district, 80 km to the north from Hanoi .

Feasibility studies showed the mine has a duration of at least 16 years, with an estimated annual output of 6,000 tonnes of WO3, 196,000 tonnes of fluoride, 360 tonnes of bismuth and 5,600 tonnes of copper./.