The risk management system in German hard coal companies and the transference to Southeast Asia

The scope of the research was defined by the technical risk management (of which is occupational safety and health) both in German Hard Coal Corporation (RAG) and the Vietnam National Coal, Minerals Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) – the representative of the Vietnamese coal mining industry in recent years. In DSK, (principle) measures to deal with risks were studied and in Vinacomin, 3 coal companies – which were chosen to be the representatives of the three areas of Quang Ninh coal basin – were also taken in the research for the experiments of the risk management system’s transference. Additionally, the contribution and acquisitions of the research, both in theory and practice, were also discussed on risk and chance management, sustainable development and the significant role of education and training. Base on the decision of the dissertation’s structure, appropriate methods of the research were also offered. The results of the research were briefly described and mostly mentioned in different publications and presentations. Chapter 1 began with the overview of risk management and technical risk management. In chapter 2, the risk management process and risk management system in German coal mining companies were explained. Theoretical and practical issues in RAG Corporation were also analyzed to see the outstanding achievements of the industry in the last decades. Since people are the most important resources of companies, RAG has been implementing measures that motivate their staff. The improvement of their safety awareness and self – implement at work are the combination of abilities and willingness, as well as knowledge and other motivation. Thus, education and training for better knowledge and skills as well as how to motivate the staff becomes the core of the transference. Chapter 3 talked about the case study of the Vietnamese coal mining industry - “state-of-the-art” in risk management. From the analysis, challenges in risk management in Vinacomin in the forthcoming years, such as geological in depth excavation, in laws, regulations, risk management outlines and technological norms, in technical equipment, in organizational and operational procedures, in safety awareness among employees – for the shortage of safety culture and sufficiently qualified employees, which also leads to the situation of the pervasive phenomenon of temporary and non-committal compliance or a preference for form over substance, and the pressure from the Board to increase the production. The transference of risk management system in RAG to Southeast Asia should be conducted by multi – level approach: national level, corporate level (the whole corporation and other subsidiaries), department level and section level (production unit). Improvement in education and training, both in contents and methods at various levels in ministerial authorities, corporations, and educational institutes are the key elements of the transference. Besides, requisites of the transference from one of the most developed coal mining industries in Western Europe to agricultural countries in Southeast Asia are also discussed in both economic and socio-cultural aspects. These are the main contents of chapter 4 and 5. It can be said that the major scientific results of the research are (1) the systematic research of the risk management philosophy and achievement in RAG, (2) the overall study of risk management Vinacomin in recent years – as a case study, (3) the transference of the German risk management system and its results in Vinacomin, and (4) the requisites in transferring the risk management system from German Hard Coal Corporation to the Southeast Asian coal mining industries