Solutions to Strengthen Multi-Industry Linkages to Promote the Circular Economy in Vietnamese Coal Mining Industry

Abstract

After a long period of operating the linear economic model, humans are now facing its consequences: resource depletion, environmental pollution and climate change. In this situation, the transition to the green economy and the circular economy is the necessary task for countries around the world, including Vietnam. The circular economy is an economy that is actively designed to recycle, reuse and prolong the life of materials. Therefore, this economy helps to save resources, slow down resource depletion, environmental pollution and climate change. In the transition to the circular economy, the mining and processing industry is one of the priority sectors and fields for implementation. The coal mining industry provides means of production to ensure national energy security. The output of the industry is the input of many other industries. Therefore, to promote the circular economic model in the industry, there must be close links with related industries. In the paper, the authors use case study method. In conjunction with the theoretical analysis of the circular economy model and its application within the mining sector, the paper analysed several domestic and international case studies about multi-sectoral linkages in the coal mining industry to achieve circular economy goals. Basing on the analysis, the paper proposed the inter-sectoral circular economy model tailored to Vietnam's coal mining industry. The paper also recommends some solutions to foster multi-sectoral linkages to facilitate the implementation of the circular economy model within the industry.