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At the heart of the project are heavy minerals – minerals with a significantly higher density than quartz. They account for less than one per cent of some Vietnamese coastal sands, but are of great economic importance. Concentrates produced from ilmenite and rutile serve as raw materials for titanium dioxide, the most important white pigment, and for titanium metal. Zircon is used in the ceramics and refractory industry, while monazite provides rare earth elements and also contains thorium. These raw materials make many everyday products and future technologies possible – from paints and tiles to wind turbines and electric motors.

It was the first meeting for the project managers, team members, partners, and stakeholders to gather for introduction of capabilities, exchange of experiences and information, as well as for discussion on the main issues and activities of the project. About 20 participants from Vietnam and 6 others from Germany took part in the Meeting.

The participants from German side were representatives from Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (HMS), G.E.O.S. Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, IAF- Radioecology GmbH, and the Embassy of Germany in Vietnam.

The participants from Vietnamese side included representatives from IESEM, INST, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM), Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS), Institute for Technology of Radioactive and Rare Elements (ITRRE), LAI CHAU - VIMICO Rare Earth Joint Stock Company (LAVRECO), Viet Thinh Mineral Processing Join Stock Company, and National Institute of Mining - Metallurgy Science and Technology (VIMLUKI).

Vietnam is regarded as one of the few countries in the world to have large titanium reserves. These titanium resources present the potential for industrial-scale extraction, processing and export. In Vietnam, during the process of titanium exploitation, NORM minerals are of major concern and require firm handling. It is noted that radionuclides are primarily released from the naturally occurring decay series of 238U and 232Th. NORM residues can lead to uncontrolled environmental pollution if they are not treated and monitored strictly. It is felt that NORM waste management remains quite new in Vietnam. Management policies and guides are insufficient for practices. In addition, Vietnamese scientists have limitations in technical knowledge and related techniques in this area. They have not gained much practical experience in adequate and accurate assessment of present and future impacts of NORM residues in the mining industry in general and in the titanium industry in particular.

Recently, the Government and ministries have begun to recognize the necessity and urgency of the safe management of NORM. On 25 May 2023, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) issued the Circular No.08/2023/TT-BKHCN on the national technical regulation on NORM.

For the sustainable development of the titanium industry, including economic efficiency and environmental safety, it is necessary to implement investigations and assessments of the current status, as well as to promote research, development and improvement in technologies, safety methods related to occupational health and safety for dealing with NORM residues. This may make a strong contribution towards resource saving and mitigating the generation of NORM waste. In this regard, there is a clear need for cooperation with experienced partners nationwide and worldwide.

In that context, Vietnamese parties (IESEM, INST, Institute for Public Health of Ho Chi Minh City) and German partners jointly formulated a project proposal for RENO-TITAN. A Protocol entitled "Sustainable Management and Reuse of Waste Containing Radioactive Residues - Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) from Titanium Industry in Vietnam" was approved by the MOST. The objective of the Protocol is to provide methodology as well as scientific and technological basis for supporting the sustainable management, treatment and reuse of NORM waste in the titanium industry in Vietnam. The Protocol members will investigate and determine the mechanical, physical, chemical and radiological characteristics of products and waste, as well as assess the risks and environmental impacts during the cycle of mining and processing of titanium ores in Binh Thuan province. They will also study and recommend technologies and methods for treatment, utilization and disposal of NORM waste in proper ways to achieve the aim of the Protocol.

The INST is one of three Vietnamese organizations joining this Protocol. The INST has the ability and experience in carrying out research and investigations in the radioactive and non-radioactive environments. The participation of the INST in the project offers the researchers a good opportunity for the exchange of experience with partners in Vietnam and from Germany in the assessment, management, treatment and reuse of NORM waste.

At the Meeting, three presentations were delivered by the experts from Germany and Vietnam. Mr Petra Schneider, a representative from HMS, gave an introduction of the RENO-TITAN and scientific achievements of the HMS. Mr Christian Kunze from IAF Radioecology presented his report on NORM in building materials. After these presentations, Mr Vuong Thu Bac from the INST briefly introduced the main research and development fields of the INST as well as the activities of the project in which the INST would get involved. The participants from different organizations engaged in lively discussions on the reports and made many helpful comments to the event. All of them visited the environmental radiation monitoring and isotope hydrology laboratories of the INST.

The Meeting was held successfully at the Headquarters of the INST. The German experts highly appreciated facilities, as well as technical capabilities, enthusiasm and achievements of Vietnamese scientists. They hoped for early implementation of the project and effective cooperation in the near future.

At the end of the Meeting, on behalf of the INST, Mr Pham Duc Khue, INST Director, expressed his gratitude and best wishes to the experts, delegates, and colleagues attending the event.