Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Le Duong Quang, has asked the Viet Nam Coal and Mineral Corporation and the management board of the Tan Rai bauxite project to begin pilot operations on November 1. He has also asked relevant authorities to prepare all plans to cope with any accident.

Phan Boi Loi, director of the Tan Rai bauxite management board, reported that all constructions serving the plant are functional, but have not reached stable operations yet, especially the thermal power plant, which is not able to match the designed capacity of 30 MW. The project has already mobilized VND480 billion (US$23.5 million) to upgrade 51km of roads to transport materials and products from the plant.