Geochemical data from coal and coal ash collected in Northern Vietnam, 2023

Coal and its combustion products (ash) are of interest as potential unconventional sources of critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements (REE). Vietnam has large coal reserves and employs coal-fired power plants to generate more electricity than any other energy source. Because there are limited data available on the REE content of coal and coal combustion products from Vietnam, the U.S. Geological Survey, Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, and Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources conducted a reconnaissance study to evaluate these materials in Thai Nguyen and Quang Ninh provinces in northern Vietnam. Samples of fly ash, bottom ash, and feed coals were sampled at four power stations; seven coal samples were taken from mines supplying coal to power stations; and one metallurgical coal sample was collected from a mine.