Quang Tri eyes coal logistics upgrade through Laos-Vietnam transport corridor

A high-level delegation from Quang Tri Province, led by Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Long Hai, visited the Kaleum coal mine in Sekong Province, Laos, and held talks with representatives from the Phonesack Group.

During the visit, Secretary Hai emphasized Quang Tri’s strong interest in a proposed coal conveyor belt project linking Laos to Vietnam. The cross-border infrastructure, which has received approval from the Vietnamese Government through a formal resolution, is expected to significantly boost socio-economic growth in Quang Tri’s western region once operational.

The conveyor system would transport coal from the Kaleum mine in Laos to Vietnam via the La Lay International Border Gate.

The project is expected to become a new growth engine for both countries, encouraging further industrial investment and production in Quang Tri.

The provincial government is also expediting the development of the My Thuy deep-water port, aiming to commission two berths by the end of 2025. Once in use, the port will support large-volume sea transport, helping to shorten delivery times and reduce logistics costs for coal and other goods.

Secretary Hai added that the province has petitioned central ministries and the Vietnamese Government to allocate funding for upgrading critical road infrastructure, especially routes used for coal transportation. These upgrades would enhance trade flows between Laos and Vietnam, improving efficiency and road safety.

The delegation from Quang Tri Province and Phonesack representatives visit the coal processing system. Photo: TH

According to the Phonesack Group, the planned conveyor system will stretch 6.3 kilometers from Laos into Vietnam, with a capacity of 6,000 tons per hour. Both sides are also planning to build large-scale coal storage facilities, covering several dozen hectares, to help overcome existing transport capacity bottlenecks and improve export readiness.

The Kaleum mine is the largest open-pit coal mine in Laos, with reserves estimated at around 800 million tons. Annual production reaches several million tons, with a large portion exported to Vietnam through the La Lay International Border Gate in Quang Tri. The mine currently employs around 1,500 staff, including miners, office workers, and technical experts. During peak periods, the workforce expands to nearly 3,000.

Quang Tri Party Secretary Nguyen Long Hai learns about the coal extraction and transportation process. Photo: TH

Between 2017 and 2023, the mine extracted 4.5 million tons of coal. From 2024 onward, annual exports are projected to range between 20 and 25 million tons, with multiple Vietnamese firms among its key trading partners.

The La Lay route is currently the only viable channel for transporting this coal into Vietnam. The mine is located 128 kilometers from the border gate, after which the coal is distributed to central Vietnamese seaports such as Hon La, Thuan An, and Chan May.

However, the 12-kilometer stretch of Road 75D, connecting La Lay Border Gate to the Ho Chi Minh Highway, is deteriorating and hindering transport efficiency.

At present, the road infrastructure at La Lay only supports the daily transport of 13,000 tons of coal, equivalent to about 500 truck trips. This figure is minimal compared to the mine’s full output capacity, signaling an urgent need for infrastructure expansion.

To enhance long-term trade flows, the Quang Tri government and investors are promoting the development of the Lao Bao-Cam Lo expressway and the upgrade of roads connecting Dong Village, Sepon District in Savannakhet Province with Ta Oi District in Salavan Province. These efforts aim to unlock new trade routes through the Lao Bao International Border Gate.

Additionally, Secretary Hai urged Phonesack Group to continue cooperating with Quang Tri in constructing National Road 15D, which will link La Lay Border Gate directly to the My Thuy deep-water port. This route will play a key role in supporting high-volume coal transport and broader trade between Laos and Vietnam, he said.

Ta Hung – Khanh Khanh