Hanoi (VNA) - TheCambodian Ministry of Mines and Energy is set to review applications soon forrights to four coal mining concession areas it opened late in March in thenorthern region of the country, the Phnom Penh Post reported.

The ministrysaid in a press release that interested national and international companiescan apply for a mining licence at the General Department of Mineral Resources,adding that it will make a public announcement naming the winning company oncethe process is completed.

Director-General of theGeneral Department of Mineral Resources Yos Monirath said the ministry saw the potentialfor exploitable mineral resources in the areas that cover a total of 794 sq.km. It has received four of five applicationsfor mining licences in the four sites and will review the applications next week

He said theministry previously granted a licence to a private company for one of the areas– a 200 sq. km. site in the Trapaing Tiem area in Oddar Meanchey province’sTrapaing Prasat district. However, this company did not discover mineralresources and the ministry decided not to renew its licence.

However, henoted, the ministry reopened the coal mining concession area for privatecompanies to invest in research because the area is zoned for mining extractionto supply coal-fired power plants that the government has decided to constructnearby.

Another areais the 194 sq. km. site in the Tumnop Dach area which straddles across OddarMeanchey and Preah Vihear provinces. The remaining areas are 200 sq. km. eachand are located in Mondulkiri province.

The officialadded the ministry has issued 40 metal exploration licences throughout Cambodia./.