The Vietnam Coal and Mineral Group will start implementing the EPC bidding pack of the Nhan Co alumina project in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong on February 28, at a cost of around $655 million.

This is a bidding pack to design and supply materials, equipment and installation – construction services to the Nhan Co alumina project. It is also the second alumina project of the group in the Central Highlands. The first is carried out in Lam Dong province.

This project will be invested in two phases. From 2007-2012, the plant will be able to process 650,000 tonnes of alumina a year. In the second phase, starting from 2015, its capacity will be doubled. This plant will use Bayer technology to produce alumina and apply advanced technologies to protect the environment.

The construction of this plant will finish in late 2012. Once it operates, the plant will have revenue of around 3.756 trillion dong a year, creating direct jobs for around 1350 people and over 12,000 others.

According to the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Group, bauxite ores exploited from the Nhan Co mine (with total reserves of 270 million tones), will be sifted at an ore sifting plant located near the mining site. The ores will be transported by conveyor belts of 5.5km length to the alumina processing plant.

VietNamNet/Government’s website