GeoAI technology (application of artificial intelligence algorithms in synthesizing and analyzing geological data) is encouraged to be used throughout the investigation and assessment of rare earth mineral resources.
That is the content of Circular No. 21/2024 regulating techniques for investigation, assessment of resources, and exploration of rare earth minerals, which has just been signed and issued by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Quy Kien, effective from January 6, 2025.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment requires AI to ensure the confidentiality of original documents; input data information includes geological structure, geological information, geological cross-sections, geochemical and geophysical data, drilling works, mineral mines, hydrogeology, environment, and other related data (if necessary); "The results of applying GeoAI technology need to be assessed for reliability.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment also requires that the calculation of rare earth reserves and resources be based on the reserve calculation criteria explained in detail in the mineral exploration report for each mine. The method of calculating rare earth reserves and resources must be selected based on the structural characteristics of the ore body for each mine; specialized software must be applied to calculate reserves.
Rare earth is the common name of a group of 17 elements, including: Lanthanum (La), Cerium (Ce), Praseodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd), Promethium (Pm), Samarium (Sm), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy), Holmium (Ho), Erbium (Er), Thuli (Tm), Yterbium (Yb), Lutetium (Lu), Scandium (Sc), Yttrium (Y).
To date, the largest rare earth mineral mine in Viet Nam is Dong Pao mine (Tam Duong district, Lai Chau). The mine has an area of over 11km2, reserves of over 5 million tons of oxide, and the primary ore bodies are F3 and F7, rare ores necessary to manufacture electronic technology. The licensed reserves are rare earth (TR2O3), about 1.1 million tons; Barite (BaSO4), about 4.2 million tons and Fluorite (CaF2), about 6 million tons.