Ban Qua copper refinery factory (Bat Xat).

In the first months of 2022, despite facing many difficulties due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, industrial production in the province still maintained a good growth rate.

According to statistics of the Department of Industry and Trade, the value of industrial production in the first two months of 2022 reached nearly 5,854 billion VND, equaling 12.73% of the year plan, 101.44% compared to the same period in 2021. In which, the mining industry reached nearly 287 billion VND, equaling 10.51% of the year plan and 63.8% compared to the same period in 2021; processing and manufacturing industry reached nearly VND 4,404 billion, equaling 12.8% of the plan, equaling 98.86% compared to the same period in 2021; electricity and water industry reached more than 1,163 billion dong, equaling 13.12% of the plan and increasing 34.28% compared to the same period in 2021, etc.

Production activities at Lao Cai Copper Refining Branch.

Mr. Hoang Chi Hien, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade said: In 2022, the province's goal is to achieve an industrial production value of over 46,000 billion VND, nearly 5,000 billion VND higher than 2021. To achieve this goal, the Provincial People's Committee directs relevant departments and branches to implement solutions to support enterprises to boost production and business, search and expand product consumption markets; solve difficult problems for projects, especially some key projects on minerals and metallurgy. At the same time, the province continues to create an open investment and business environment, and promotes reform of administrative procedures; encourage and create the most favorable conditions for projects to produce new products such as high-quality DAP, red phosphorus, packaging, copper cables, garments; review the planning of small and medium-sized hydropower in the area and the electricity development planning, propose timely adjustments to suit the socio-economic development needs of the province..

The good news of Lao Cai industry in the first months of the year is that Viet Trung Minerals and Metallurgy Company Limited (VTM) has restored the operation of Lao Cai Iron and Steel Factory after receiving permission from the Government to exploit 1 million tons of iron ore from Quy Xa mine; Ban Qua Copper Refinery Factory (Bat Xat) belonging to Lao Cai Copper Refining Branch has a capacity of 20,000 tons of copper/year and the by-products obtained such as gold, silver, sulfuric acid go into stable production; started the construction of the Project of high-tech electric wire and cable factory in Ban Qua commune (Bat Xat) with a total investment of 1,900 billion VND, invested by Nexus Technologies & Cable Co., Ltd. (Korea); It is expected that next April will complete the export garment and embroidery factory project in Lao Cai city invested by Babeeni Vietnam Co., Ltd..

When coming to the factories and production units in Tang Loong Industrial Park, we could feel the urgent and hurried labor emulation spirit of officials, workers and officers there.

Engineers, workers and employees of Lao Cai Iron and Steel Factory, when taking over the production position, are highly focused on their work with the determination to maintain a safe and continuous production line. VTM Deputy General Director Ngo Sy Hieu shared: Lao Cai Iron and Steel Factory stopped operating from mid-September 2021 due to lack of raw materials. Therefore, more than 1,300 engineers, workers were underemployed, some workers had quit their jobs, factory equipment stopped working were at risk of damage, deterioration, many unresolved financials had not been done, difficulties piling up difficulties. After many efforts, at the end of December 2021, the Government agreed to allow the company to exploit 1 million tons of iron ore from Quy Xa mine. Without wasting time, the company soon reopened production activities of Lao Cai Iron and Steel Factory. The goal of the year is to maintain the maximum design capacity to produce 500,000 tons of finished steel billet, strive to achieve a revenue of 7,100 billion VND, the average income of employees is 15 million VND/month.

“Although there are still many difficulties in terms of capital flow, with the current market situation being maintained, the company's production and business activities will certainly prosper, which is a good condition for VTM to continue and complete the restructuring project under the direction of the Prime Minister and complete the application for re-issuance of the mining license for submitting to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, ensuring a stable source of raw materials for the Lao Cai Iron and Steel Plant.” - Mr. Ngo Sy Hieu added.

Mr. Hoang Ngoc Minh, Director of Lao Cai Copper Refining Branch said: In the context of the complicated situation of the Covid-19 epidemic, besides launching movements to emulate good labor, creative labor, strive to fulfill the set targets of the year, the pandemic prevention and control has always been focused on by the unit so that production and business will not be interrupted. Up to now, both factories are producing stably, with the right designed capacity. In the first 2 months of the year, the branch produced 5,440 tons of copper cathode, 174 kg of gold bullion, more than 268 kg of silver bullion, 20,589 tons of copper sulfate, etc.

And according to Mr. Pham Van Hung, Director of Duc Giang - Lao Cai Chemicals Joint Stock Company, a complex of 5 factories producing chemicals, fertilizers and animal feed additives DCP operates in the industrial park with more than 1,800 employees, the top goal is not to break the product production chain and lose export markets. In addition, the company continues to promote technology transformation, digital transformation and application of science - technology in production and business. With the initiative of businesses and units and the synchronous implementation of support measures of provincial departments and agencies, production activities at units and industrial parks in the province still maintain continuous production circuit. Industry continues to affirm its key role in Lao Cai's economy.