Bauxite projects safe, says inspector

Deputy chairman of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology and Environment Committee Nghiem Vu Khai said he was confident that the country’s bauxite projects were safe after completing an inspection trip.

Organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, senior officials from the National Assembly, the Government’s Office, the Central Party Committee’s Office and independent scientists inspected the country’s bauxite projects in the Central Highlands last weekend.

The officials inspected Nhan Co and Tan Rai Alumina Projects in Dac Nong and Lam Dong Provinces.

According to Khai, the projects’ locations are quite favourable for bauxite mining and safely containing the red sludge that is produced by the operation.

The mine’s waste will be stored in reservoirs within an enclosed valley far from residential areas and large river basins. The reservoirs are divided into multiple compartments so that there are additional storing compartments.

The compartments’ dykes are said to be able to withstand earthquakes that register a 7 on the Richter magnitude scale.

A contingency dyke has been built 100 metres away from the last red sludge reservoir dyke to prevent the toxic waste from leaking into the valley.

“It’s not until the red sludge reservoirs meet all required technical standards that the plant will begin operations,” said Khai.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment set up an environmental task force to monitor the two bauxite projects in the Central Highlands.

The task force will inspect the sites on a quarterly basis to ensure that the projects are adhering to the country’s strict environmental regulations. — VNS

Tags: Vietnam Bauxite projects, Vietnam mining industry