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The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis Vol. 23, No. 2, June 2011, 211–230 The Mining Industry of North Korea Choi Kyung-soo* North Korea Resources Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea North Korean mineral resources are substantial and some of these minerals (such as magnesite, zinc, iron, and tungsten) could create highly competitive markets. However, almost all of North Korean mines suffer from a lack of electric power and alternatives must be sought in order to solve the country’s electricity shortage. To improve mine productivity the construction of large-scale hydro plants, the remodeling of the overall power system and a cooperative policy with Russia and South Korea are recommended. Foreign investors (including several South Korean companies) are eager to participate in North Korean mining projects. However, it has been difficult for investors to participate in these projects, as most want to establish their own companies and operate the mines themselves. In this respect, North Korea’s weak points are its legal restrictions and poor infrastructure. There- fore, it is important that North Korea creates favorable conditions for investment and upholds its contracts with foreign companies. It is hoped that North Korea and South Korea will normalize relations in the near future and mining projects can be restarted. Inter-Korean mining cooperation has the potential to be beneficial for both sides, as North Korea could increase mining production and stimulate its economy and South Korea could in turn secure nearby mineral commodities. Introduction Considering its large mineral resources, there are many opportunities for mineral development in North Korea. There are many kinds of minerals in North Korea, including magnesite, zinc, iron, tungsten ore, graphite, anthracite coal, gold, barite, apatite, and molybdenite. These mineral resources can be found in most areas of North Korea, but especially in the provinces of Hamgyeong-do and Jagang-do. North Korea is exceptionally rich in magnesite, with total magnesite resources reported at 6 billion tons in 2009. These are the second highest magnesite reserves in world. North Korea’s mining production increased until 1990, but thereafter it dropped due to lack of electricity, materials, equipment, and antiquated facilities. Since 2000, iron ore and anthracite production have increased slightly. Mine operation rate remains very low in North Korea. The Musan Iron-ore Mine was operating at approximately 30 percent of capacity in 2006 and the Daeheung Magnesite Mine was operating at 60 percent in 2007. It is likely that the average operation rates of all existing mining facilities are below 30 percent of capacity due to restricted financial assistance and the deteriorating infrastructure of the mining *Email: [email protected] ISSN 1016-3271 print, ISSN 1941-4641 online © 2011 Korea Institute for Defense Analyses http://www.kida.re.kr/kjda 212 Choi Kyung-soo facilities. The energy shortage is one of the main obstacles hampering North Korean mineral production. Due to its age and poor conditions, the power grid is also a lim- iting factor. As a result, almost all of North Korean mines suffer from a lack of elec- tric power. South Korea’s first mining investment project in North Korea began in 2001. About 10 mining projects have been pursued through 2010. However, eight out of these 10 projects have stopped and only two of the mining projects were invested in by South Korean companies. The Jengchon Graphite Mine was the first investment project in North Korea. This mine produces graphite concentrate; however, it has never operated at full capacity due to electricity shortages. Foreign companies have participated in about 25 mining projects in North Korea. China, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom have participated in North Korean mining projects. Chinese companies, in particular, have been aggressively participating in North Korean mineral development since 2003. At present, China has participated in about 20 of these mining projects. It is very difficult for foreign investors to participate in North Korean mineral development operations, as most foreign investors want to establish their own com- panies and operate the mines independently. Therefore, North Korea’s legal provi- sions, sovereign risk, and antiquated infrastructure are barriers to foreign investment. It is hoped that in the near future, North Korea and South Korea will normalize relations and allow mining projects to be restarted. Inter-Korean mining cooperation is very important for both sides. These projects offer North Korea the potential to increase mineral production and reap the related benefits of economic growth through South Korean investment. South Korea could in-turn secure valuable mineral commodities. However, it is important that North Korea first creates favorable con- ditions for investment and upholds its contracts with South Korean companies. Mineral Resources and the Mining Industry in North Korea Mineral Resources North Korea’s mineral resources are distributed across a wide area comprising about 80 percent of the country. North Korea hosts sizable deposits of more than 200 dif- ferent minerals and has among the top-10 largest reserves of magnesite, tungsten ore, graphite, gold ore, and molybdenum in the world. Its magnesite reserves are the second largest in the world, following China, and its tungsten deposits are probably the sixth-largest in the world.1, 2 Of North Korea’s identified mineral resources, deposits of coal, iron ore, magnesite, gold ore, zinc ore, copper ore, limestone, molybdenite, and graphite are larger than other mineral commodities. These mineral resources all have the potential for the devel- opment of large-scale mines. Table 1 shows North Korea’s mineral resources data. Table 1 shows that North Korea has many kinds of minerals, precious metals (gold), rare metals (Mo and Ni), ferrous minerals (Iron), non-ferrous minerals (Zn and Cu), non-metallic minerals (magnesite and limestone) and anthracite. Gold mines are located in Pyongan-do, magnesite mines are mainly distributed in the Hamgyeong-do, while iron ore is located in the provinces of Pyongan-do, Ham- gyeong-do and Hwanghae-do. The Mining Industry of North Korea 213 Table 1. North Korea’s Estimated Resources of Major Minerals and Coal (Thousand metric tons, unless otherwise specified) Mineral Grade Reserve Gold Metal, tons 2,000 Iron Fe 50%, million tons 5,000 Copper Metal 2,900 Zn Metal 21,100 Tungsten WO3 65% 246 Molybdenite MoS2 90% 54 Nickel Metal 36 Manganese Mn 40% 300 Graphite FC 100% 2,000 Limestone Ore grade, million tons 100,000 Barite Ore grade 2,100 Apatite Ore grade, million tons 150 Magnesite MgO 45%, million tons 6,000 Anthracite Coal grade, million tons 4,500 Source: Korea Resources Cooperation, Current Development Situation of Mineral Resources in North Korea (Korea Resources Cooperation, 2009), xii. The Mining Policy and Limits North Korea’s mining policies are attempting to increase mine production, explore new mineral resources, and modernize its mining technology.3 However, it is difficult for the country to develop its mines due to the shortage of equipment. To increase mineral production North Korea will need to exploit new mines and purchase new equipment (for example, Load Haul Dumps, jumbo drills, and conveyor systems). At present, its mines cannot do this due to the financial crisis in North Korea. The energy shortage is one of the main obstacles hampering North Korean min- eral production. The power grid has also become a limiting factor due to its age and general poor condition. Almost all North Korean mines suffer from a lack of electric power. According to the South Korea Mine Survey team’s data, it is assumed that North Korean mines have very weak electric systems and low-quality electricity (voltage values in North Korea are approximately 130–205V, normal voltage is 220V) and frequency variations are 39–54Hz (normal frequency is 60Hz). Under these circumstances, North Korean mines cannot operate the necessary mining equipment. Alternatives need to be sought in order to solve the electricity shortage. To improve mine productivity the construction of large-scale hydroelectric plants as well as the remodeling of the overall power system in cooperation with Russia and South Korea, is recommended. The North Korea government has given special priority to the exploration and development of new mineral resources, especially ferrous and non-ferrous minerals. Recently, North Korean and Chinese teams have been cooperating to explore North Korea’s mineral resources. North Korea desires international assistance through joint projects to explore its mineral resources, and mainly its rare metal and rare earth minerals. 214 Choi Kyung-soo Photograph 1. The Jumbo Drill Rig Photograph 2. The Keumgol Substation Source: “Mining Equipment,”Atlas in Dancheon-si Copco Tamrock, 2011. A commercial Source: South-North Korea Exchanges catalog. and Cooperation Support Association, Joint Survey Report of North Korea Mineral Resources by South-North Korea, 3rd edition, (South-North Korea Exchanges and Cooperation Support Association, 2007), 26. North Korea has also expressed an interest in mining technology innovation, including the development of mineral processing technology for oxide minerals, purification technology for raw metals and separation and purification technology for rare metal minerals. North Korea is interested in joint projects with other coun- tries to develop these mining technologies. The
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