Phu Bia road show showcases modern mining industry

Nov 14th at 14:33
14-11-2014 14:33:56+07:00

Phu Bia road show showcases modern mining industry

Phu Bia Mining brought the energy and professionalism of its mine sites to Vientiane yesterday for a one-day exhibition about the company and the modern mining industry.

The event featured more than 50 of the company's employees, alongside everything from rock samples and pine tree seedlings, to frogs and huge items of mining machinery.

Over the course of the day, the roadshow was attended by a diverse mix of government officials, university and school students, diplomats, representatives of international non-government organisations, international organisations, members of the business community and the general public.

“We organised this event because we know that many people would like to know more about mining. So we decided to create an opportunity for people to meet our employees and ask them questions,” said Rob Usher, Executive General Manager of Phu Bia Mining.

Four community members from villages close to the company's Phu Kham operations also joined the event. They came to talk to guests about their involvement in the business groups, village banks, training programmes and other initiatives put in place by Phu Bia Mining in order to support community development.

Many guests were keen to talk to two of the company's female mining truck drivers, who drive the company's huge mining trucks, which are five metres tall and can carry around a hundred tonnes of rock at a time.

“We want people to see the reality of the modern mining industry for themselves,” said Mr Usher. “As well as generating significant revenue for Laos, we are environmentally responsible, take safety extremely seriously, and run our business with integrity.”

The company plans to take the roadshow to Xaysomboun province over the coming months.

Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Viraphonh Viravong said it is great that Phu Bia Mining has launched such a road show and are promoting international standards of corporate responsibility and transparency.

Mr Viraphonh said electricity and mining are critical sectors for the Lao economy and together they account for some 67 percent of exports. By 2025 this figure is scheduled to increase to 77 percent.

“Laos relies on electricity and mining to drive its economy. We want to see these two sectors continue to grow so we need to push ahead urgently according to the government plan,” the deputy minister said.

“However we should do so sustainably and it is a matter that we should focus on together. We can discuss how to generate electricity with sustainability but many people don't understand how to excavate minerals sustainably.”

Many countries understand that Laos wants to develop very fast but they should also know that it wants to ensure sustainability, Mr Viraphonh said.

“In charge of the energy and mining sector, we will try to open the door internationally and accept all concerns and comments because we really want to generate energy and excavate minerals sustainably.”

vientiane times



NEWS SAME CATEGORY

Thailand debentures to spark Lao electricity development

EDL-Generation hopes to issue debentures of 6.5 billion baht (1.6 trillion kip) in Thailand's capital market to boost electricity capacity for domestic supply and...

Certified timber legality on way for wood industries

The Department of Forest Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), and the European Union (EU) recently held talks on the process of defining timber...

Surge in energy generation, supply as Laos powers up

Energy generation and supply to both local and export markets increased sharply in the fiscal year 2013-14.

First Oji Lao sawmill opens

The Oji Lao Plantation Forest Co. Ltd undertook to spend US$1 million to establish the company's first sawmill in the country, in Khammuan province.

Public urged to use energy more efficiently

The Lao Minister of Energy and Mines has called on all electricity users to use energy efficiently and avoid lavish or unnecessary use as much as possible.

Work on Nam Ngiep 1 hydropower plant commences this month

The 290 megawatt Nam Ngiep 1 hydropower plant is set to start construction this month, with power production scheduled for early 2019, following the finalisation of...

Construction set to commence on new power plant in Champassak

The construction of the Nam Phak hydropower plant project in Champassak province will start this year after the developers signed the concession agreement (CA) with...

Authorities may call a halt to Kasy hydropower project

Authorities in Vientiane province may order a halt to a proposed 15MW-hydropower project on the Sana river in Kasy district after only limited progress has been...

More investors interested in Pakxong hydropower

Pakxong district of Champassak province might become a significant electricity generation location after more than ten companies have expressed their desire to...

Khammuan pins hopes on energy generation rising

Khammuan province expects that it may have electricity with an installed capacity up to about 2,000 megawatts (MW) in the future due to the province having the...


MOST READ


Back To Top