Thach Khe iron mine is the biggest iron deposit ever found in Vietnam, with reserves estimated at 550 million tons. It is thought to be nearly 3 kilometers long, nearly 2 kilometers wide and over 600 meters thick.
This mine is located along the coast of Thach Ha district and is covered by a thick layer of soil from 25-130 meters. It is very tough to “touch” the iron ore layer.
The project to remove the earth and rock kicked off in September 2009 by Thach Khe Iron Joint Stock Company. So far over 6.6 million cubic meters of soil and rock has been unearthed. The project is expected to be completed in early 2011.
The 6.6 million cubic meters of soil has also created artificial mountains in Thach Hai commune. The contractor - Thach Khe Iron Joint Stock Company – commented that these “mountains” will be “dikes” to deter storms from the sea and part of it will be exported, once the Government agrees.
Some pictures of the dirt mountains at Thach Khe iron mine:
