Vietnam increases coal exploitation target in 2009 to 43 mln tons

• Source: Xinhua
• [09:09 July 14 2009]
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The state-run Vietnam National Coal- Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) said that it will increase the coal exploitation target this year to 43 million tons from 40 million tons, the local newspaper Vietnam Economic Times reported Monday.

The adjustment is expected to meet the increasing demand from the country's four other sectors of electricity, fertilizer, paper, and cement, which consume coal most, said the group.

To achieve the newly-set target, the group vowed to speed up development of new coal mines and modernize the existing ones to boost production and minimize unexpected coal mine accidents.

In the first six months this year, the group produced 20.3 million tons of coal, a year-on-year decrease of 5 percent. Of which, 12.05 tons of coal were exported, said the newspaper.