Copper ore reserves exceed 100 million tons, ranking first in Southeast Asia, and the Sin Quyen copper mine, the country's largest, is the primary source of raw materials for two copper smelters that are stable and supply approximately 30,000 tons of metal copper for the market each year.

More than 180 million tons of iron ore reserves, the second largest in the country, are the main source of raw materials for Lao Cai Iron and Steel Factory (capacity of 500 thousand tons/year), which supplies iron and steel to the domestic and export markets.

Lao Cai and Lai Chau, in particular, have the largest rare earth reserves in Vietnam, a mineral that is critical to the development of high-tech industries in Vietnam and around the world.

Lao Cai is always interested in orienting the mining industry to ensure reasonable, economical, and efficient; combining mining with deep processing to improve the value of raw minerals, and identifying as a bridge in Vietnam's industrial production chain. As a result, Lao Cai has maintained an important position in the country's industrial production chain in recent years.

The processing and manufacturing industry develops in the right direction.

In order to determine advantages, potentials, and economic leverage, Lao Cai established two industrial parks, Dong Pho Moi and Tang Loong, between 2001 and 2010, with Tang Loong Industrial Park focusing on Chemical, fertilizer, and metallurgy production facilities that are concentrated in Tang Loong Industrial Park. The mineral deep processing industry has grown to be the largest contributor to the economy and has a significant impact on local socioeconomic development. The total value of industrial production in 2010 was 5.2 times that of 2000, with an average growth rate of 15.5% between 2001 and 2005 and 23.9% between 2006 and 2010. From 2001 to 2010, the breakthrough development of the mineral deep processing industry transformed Lao Cai from one of Vietnam's poorest provinces to a developed Northwest province. Until now, Lao Cai's deep processing industry has made a significant contribution to the province's economy. In 2021, industrial production value will reach VND 41,200 billion; in 2022, it is expected to be around VND 47,500 billion (deep processing of minerals accounts for 71.74%), gradually confirming that the Lao Cai mineral deep processing industry is the region's and the country's center of metallurgy, chemicals, and fertilizers.

However, Lao Cai is well aware of the difficulties and challenges in developing the deep processing industry, which are as follows: the scale of industrial production is still small; production activities are not linked to the value chain; the industrial production value chain is still low; slow scientific and technological innovation; low labor productivity; transportation infrastructure does not meet development requirements... There are few production linkages in the locality and region, particularly links to support the development of deep processing industries, supporting industries, and product consumption, thereby failing to demonstrate the region's mark and achievements in developing the mineral deep processing industry.

To become a leading center for metallurgy, chemicals and fertilizers in the region and the whole country, Lao Cai has identified the following key tasks and solutions:

To develop the deep processing industry in the direction of concentration, regional linkage and continue to play an important role in the industrial production chain: Ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for the domestic industrial production chain; prioritizing the opening and expansion of concentrated deep-processing industrial parks; encouraging the neighboring provinces and regions to join the industrial production chain, especially supporting industries and deep processing; striving by 2030, the value of industrial production of deep processing minerals will be 2.5 - 3 times higher than today.

Bringing Lao Cai's deep processing technology level closer to that of the rest of the world: Continuing to promote industrialization - modernization based on science - technology; applying advanced and modern scientific advances to raise the level of local production technology; developing mineral deep processing products with reputable, valuable, highly competitive brands that meet domestic and international standards.

The industry makes an important contribution to the province's economic growth and budget revenue. 

Encouraging the development of transportation infrastructure: Focusing resources on investing in modern and synchronous transportation infrastructure, creating a continuous network and link between provinces in the region, the region and the rest of the country, and the rest of the world, laying a solid foundation for bringing Lao Cai's mineral deep-processed industrial products to ASEAN countries and international friends, while also serving as the country's and the world's trading center for Lao Cai's industrial products.

Building Lao Cai into a center to attract high-tech labor in the region: To rationally adjust the development strategy of economic sectors and fields, giving priority to the implementation of deep processing projects using high technology, modern management, create many jobs and have the ability to spread development.

Production activities of Duc Giang Lao Cai Chemical Joint Stock Company. 

Developing Lao Cai into an investment pillar: Lao Cai will be a business and corporate destination with the goal of becoming the country's leading center for metallurgy, chemicals, and fertilizers using advanced and modern technology; be the destination for large domestic and international delegations, contributing to resource efficiency and environmental protection...

With the advantages and characteristics of Lao Cai province, the Central Government's active support, and the support of localities in the region, the Lao Cai mineral deep processing industry will quickly become a popular country's leading center for metallurgy, chemicals, and fertilizers.

Hoang Chi Hien

Provincial Party Committee, Director of Department of Industry and Trade