Research on Suitable Mining Technology for Placer Titanium Mines in Vietnam

Abstract

Vietnam has a potential reserve of placer titanium of around 650 Mt. The reserve lays in sandy beaches of the country from Thanh Hoa to Binh Thuan province. Placer titanium mines in Vietnam are different in geological condition, the scale of production, mining method, and environmental protection solutions, etc. Some of them are operating with inappropriate mining technology; therefore, have caused environmental issues and ineffective operation. Consequently, it is essential to have criteria for selecting appropriate mining technology to approach the sustainable development for the mines. Based on categories of geology, the scale of production, mining characteristics, requirements of safety, land reclamation and environmental protection, and mining effect, authors defined the criteria and method for selecting adequate mining technology for the placer titanium mines in Vietnam which aim for better safe, effective and sustainable. The categories to select the appropriate technology for coastal titanium placers in Vietnam including 1- feasible mining scheme, 2- mining procedure, 3- requirement volume of water, 4- slope stability, 5- environmental rehabilitation and reclamation, and 6- economic effect. The result of the application for Nam Suoi Nhum placer titanium mine in Bình Thuan province shows that the most appropriate scheme of this mine is the mining technology of using hydraulic jets, pumping and hauling by pumping mud, processing by spiral screws, and discharging by mud pumping.