On June 23, 2025, at the University of Mining and Geology, a national scientific conference was held with the theme "Developing science and technology and high-quality human resources to serve the rare earth industry and other strategic minerals in Vietnam".
The workshop was attended by a large number of scientists, managers, leading experts from universities, research institutes, state management agencies such as the Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam, and representatives of many businesses owning strategic mineral mines.
The delegation of the Institute of Rare Earth Technology (Institute) under the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, led by the Director, Dr. Pham Quang Minh, participated in and made important contributions to the Workshop, affirming the pioneering and core role of the Institute in the field of research and development of rare earth deep processing technology in Vietnam.
Context and strategic importance
The conference took place in a particularly important context, when rare earths and strategic minerals are no longer the story of the geology and mining industry alone but have become core factors, determining the economic security, technological security and geopolitical position of each country. The fourth industrial revolution, along with the global green energy transition trend, has pushed the demand for rare earths to an unprecedented high. From permanent magnets in wind turbines, electric vehicle engines, to semiconductor components, optical fibers, defense materials... rare earth elements are indispensable.
Vietnam is considered the country with the second largest rare earth reserves in the world , which is both a great potential and a big challenge. How to turn resource potential into technological strength, create a domestic value chain, avoid "resource bleeding" and dependence on foreign technology is a strategic problem that the Party and State pay special attention to, reflected in important Resolutions such as Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW of the Politburo on strategic orientation of geology and minerals. The workshop is an urgent forum for stakeholders to analyze the current situation, identify challenges and propose breakthrough solutions.
Important contributions of the Institute of Rare Earth Technology
At the Workshop, experts provided insightful and practical perspectives, clearly demonstrating the depth of experience and achievements that the Institute has achieved over the past decades.
In particular, the presentation by Dr. Pham Quang Minh with the topic "Research and development of rare earth ore processing technology at the Institute of Rare Earth Technology" attracted special attention from the delegates. The report systematized the entire research process of the Institute from the early days, from state-level topics, international cooperation projects with Japan and Korea, to mastering core technological stages from mineral selection, hydrometallurgy, to separation and purification of separate rare earth oxides with high purity.
Dr. Pham Quang Minh emphasized: "Vietnam has a great advantage in rare earth resources, especially carbonatite mines such as Dong Pao. However, our biggest challenge is not in the mining stage but in the deep processing stage. Rare earth processing technology is a core technology, complex and requires long-term, systematic investment. For many years, the Institute has persistently researched and mastered technological processes at the laboratory and pilot scale, ready to transfer and expand production scale when there is proper investment from the State and enterprises".
In addition, experts from the Institute also had frank and open discussions at the discussion sessions. Dr. Luu Xuan Dinh, Deputy Director of the Institute of Rare Earth Technology, shared about the challenges in training human resources, the shortage of leading experts in extraction and refining technology, and the need for a breakthrough policy to attract talent. Opinions also emphasized the issue of environmental treatment, especially radioactive elements associated with rare earth ores such as Thorium and Uranium, an area in which the Institute has strengths and experience in handling.
Cooperation opportunities and development prospects
The Institute's participation at the Workshop is not only to report achievements but also to open up new cooperation opportunities. The full gathering of parties from the Institute - School - Enterprise - Manager has created an effective connection space. Enterprises owning mines have a more intuitive and trustworthy view of domestic technological capacity, seeing the way to increase the added value of resources instead of just exporting raw materials. Universities such as the University of Mining and Geology can coordinate more closely with the Institute in building specialized training programs, linking theory with practice, meeting the needs of the industry.
Speaking at the discussion session, Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Director of the Institute of Rare Earth Technology, proposed: "For the Vietnamese rare earth industry to take off, we need a comprehensive strategy and consistent investment; it is necessary to soon form a National Rare Earth Research and Technology Transfer Center located at the Institute. With facilities, equipment and a team of experts accumulated through many international cooperation projects, the Center will be a place to gather resources, master, develop and transfer core technologies, act as a solid bridge between research and production, and at the same time be an address for training high-quality human resources for the whole industry".
This proposal received high consensus and support from the delegates attending.
Delegates take photos at the Conference.
The workshop opened up specific directions for cooperation in the field of rare earths. With active participation and dedicated and intellectual contributions, the Institute of Rare Earth Technology once again affirmed its position and responsibility in the mission of building and developing a sustainable and self-reliant rare earth industry, making an important contribution to the cause of industrialization, modernization and ensuring national security.
Source: https://mst.gov.vn/vien-cong-nghe-xa-hiem-khang-dinh-vai-tro-nong-cot-trong-phat-trien-nganh-cong-nghiep-dat-hiem-viet-nam-197250626224040162.htm
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