Viet Nam - Russia cooperate in investigation and exploration of marine minerals

The Russian delegation included representatives of FESCO Transport Company, All-Russian Research Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean (VNIIOkeangeologia) and Marion Group.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Vitalievich Shumskiy, Director of the All-Russian Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean, said that Russia is trying to ensure the requirements and procedures for the offshore mineral exploration and investigation cooperation project with Viet Nam to be approved and put into operation.

Also joining the delegation was Mr. Dmitry Melikhov, General Director of Marion Group - a group specializing in performing work in the mineral industry. Following Mr. Vitalievich Shumskiy, Mr. Dmitry Melikhov said that Marion Group was established 32 years ago on the basis of the Saint Petersburg Mining Institute. Accordingly, the group has inherited a lot of experience and research from the Soviet era and developed to the present time.

Mr. Vitalievich Shumskiy emphasized that environmental issues are considered important in the implementation of the project of exploiting minerals on the seabed. This was proven when the World Organization for the Seabed changed its leadership from a geological expert to an environmental expert.

The All-Russian Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources wishes to cooperate in technology and training of Vietnamese staff.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Tran Quy Kien emphasized that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment attaches great importance to the project of cooperation in investigating and assessing marine resources with the Russian Federation. Currently, the Ministry is finalizing and collecting opinions from ministries and branches to submit to the Government.

The Deputy Minister assessed that this is a favorable project, which was agreed upon at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee between the two countries on cooperation in this field.

This is the first project to investigate and assess and exploit minerals offshore Vietnam's waters. Russia has cooperated with Viet Nam in oil and gas exploration and exploitation for a long time. Therefore, the project to assess marine minerals is considered to have many prospects, and when approved, it will open up many opportunities for further cooperation. The project will have to comply with Vietnamese regulations, laws and international standards.