Biggest bauxite mine under feasibility in southern Laos

Laos News Agency (KPL) 
2/21/2007


Sectors concerned are conducting a feasibility study of the Paksong bauxite mining in the southern Champassak province.

The Final decision on whether the investment suitable for approving relies with the government, said yesterday Mr Nadomsack Xattakoun, Director General of Champassak Committee for Planning and Investment.

According to the previous survey conducted by Lao and Chinese experts, Pakxong has over 50,000 ha consists of bauxite ore.

With such extremely large area, bauxite mine in Pakxong ranks the biggest one in Asia and the 14th in the world.

Since 2005, four companies, including one domestic company, have prospected for bauxite in the district. Mr Nadomsack was quoted as saying.

However, the investment on exploitation of bauxite need careful consideration as the district has various natural resources. The district has fertile soil for production such as coffee, and water sources of main rivers stretching to four provinces namely Xekong, Saravan, Champassak and Attapeu.

“The province has over 400,000 ha including 30,000 ha planted with coffee,” said Mr Vichith Sybounheuang, Head of Planting Section, Champassak Agricultural and Forestry Service.