EXPLORATION for industrial minerals began in the northern part of Vietnam in 1955, and in the south in 1975, after independence and reunification. In the North, exploration is focused on phosphate, pyrite, kaolin, talc, graphite, barites, fluorite, rare earth minerals and limestone. In the South, exploration is concentrated on bauxite, silica sand, ilmenite, kaolin, bentonite, diatomite, peat, and construction rocks. There are four main groups of industrial minerals, which have been identified and exploited, to some extent: fertiliser minerals (examined here), ceramic & refractory minerals, construction minerals, and technical minerals. It is within these sectors that there are ongoing efforts to strengthen prospecting and exploration in the near future.
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