Is Thiec Ha An Company the 'culprit' in the unusual fish deaths on Nam Huong stream (Quy Hop)?
Analysis of underground wastewater samples of Thiec Ha An Company Limited stored in the settling tank and surface water at the source of Bac stream water, taken by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment on July 8, 2024, all showed results exceeding the permissible threshold.
Water sample analysis, many indicators exceed standards!
July 26, 2024,Department of Natural Resources and EnvironmentReport No. 5136/STNMT-BVMT on "handling the case of unusual fish deaths in Chau Thanh commune, Quy Hop district" to the Provincial People's Committee.
The new point in Report No. 5136/STNMT-BVMT is the report to the Provincial People's Committee on the results of analyzing wastewater samples from the mine of Thiec Ha An Company Limited, which are stored in the settling tank before being pumped and discharged into the casto cave, and surface water at the point where the casto cave area is discharged into the Suoi Bac water source, Chau Thanh commune, Quy Hop district (sampling was organized by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment on July 8, 2024).
The results of wastewater samples at the settling tank before pumping into the casto cave, compared with QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT - National technical regulation on industrial wastewater, column A (regulating the values of pollution parameters in industrial wastewater when discharged into water sources used for domestic water supply purposes) show that: 02/16 parameters exceed the standard (Arsenic exceeds 3.22 times, Iron exceeds 3.22 times); 14/16 parameters are within the standard. Compared with QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT, column B (regulating the values of pollution parameters in industrial wastewater when discharged into water sources not used for domestic water supply purposes) shows that 01/16 parameters exceed the standard (Arsenic exceeds 1.61 times); 15/16 parameters are within the standard.
For surface water samples at the point where the casto cave area discharges into the Suoi Bac water source, compared with QCVN 08:2023/BTNMT - National technical regulation on surface water quality, table 1 (maximum limit values of parameters affecting human health) shows that: 5/8 parameters exceed the standard (Ammonium exceeds 1.71 times; Arsenic exceeds 5.4 times; Cadmium exceeds 18.56 times; Manganese exceeds 23.7 times; Iron exceeds 16.34 times); 3/8 parameters (Lead, Chromium VI, Mercury) are within the standard.
Compared with QCVN 08:2023/BTNMT, Table 2 (limit values of parameters in surface water for classifying the quality of rivers, streams, canals, ditches, streams, and protecting aquatic habitats) shows that: 1/7 parameters (pH) exceed level D; 2/7 parameters (pH, COD) exceed level C; 4/7 parameters (pH, BOD, COD, TSS) exceed level B; 5/7 parameters (pH, DO, BOD, COD, TSS) exceed level A.
In addition, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment also reported to the Provincial People's Committee some related contents. Specifically, the Department of Planning and Investment issued Document No. 1951/SKHDT-DN dated May 23, 2024 to the Provincial People's Committee reporting on Ha An Tin Company Limited's proposal to adjust the project of underground mining and processing the eastern part of Suoi Bac tin mine in Chau Hong and Chau Thanh communes.
At the same time, the Inspection Team under Decision No. 901/QD-BTNMT dated April 5, 2024 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment drew up a Record of Administrative Violation and transferred it to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quy Hop district to impose a fine on Thiec Ha An Company Limited.
Then, on June 4, 2024, the People's Committee of Quy Hop district issued Decision No. 2981/QD-UBND to administratively fine Ha An Tin Company Limited with a total amount of 250 million VND, and suspend mineral exploitation activities for 4.5 months (from June 4, 2024).
The Inspection Team of Quy Hop District Police inspected the compliance with the law on environmental protection and natural resources of Thiec Ha An Company Limited and drew up a record of administrative violations and transferred it to the Chairman of Quy Hop District People's Committee for sanction; on July 10, 2024, Quy Hop District People's Committee issued Decision No. 3690/QD-UBND to sanction administrative violations in the field of environment against Thiec Ha An Company Limited with the amount of 70 million VND...
Is the culprit causing pollution of Nam Huong stream?
From the results of analyzing water samples taken on July 8, 2024, and the actual inspection of the current status of wastewater and solid waste treatment at the Suoi Bac Tin Mine Underground Mining and Processing Project in Chau Hong and Chau Thanh communes, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment concluded:
“The fact that Ha An Tin Company Limited pumps wastewater from the mine (after being treated and settled through settling tanks) into the casto cave (the old tin mining pit of Nghe Tinh Non-ferrous Metals Joint Stock Company) and flows out by itself at the source of Bac stream, Chau Thanh commune, still sticking to the dark yellow color in the ditch and rainwater drainage ditch of Ha An Company Limited (recorded in the Minutes dated July 2, 2024, including representatives of Quy Hop District People's Committee, Chau Thanh commune and Ha An Company Limited) is true.
The water sample results showed that some parameters exceeded the permissible standards due to the Company pumping into the casto cave (the old tin ore mining pit of Nghe Tinh Non-ferrous Metals Joint Stock Company), flowing into the headwaters of Bac stream, Chau Thanh commune, Quy Hop district, this is one of the sources that polluted the surface water in the stream at the time of sampling.
Based on the test results and environmental quality samples, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment requests the Provincial People's Committee to request Thiec Ha An Company Limited to:
“Review and evaluate the source of wastewater from the mine to find solutions for collection and treatment without causing environmental pollution; preside over and coordinate with the People's Committee of Quy Hop district to collect samples to assess the quality of surface water in the Suoi Bac area, Chau Thanh commune to find solutions to renovate and clean the water source (if the water source is polluted) according to regulations.
Immediately implement safety solutions to prevent incidents, especially at tailings dumps and wastewater treatment facilities from the mining and processing of tin ore. Dismantle the pipelines used by the Company to pump waste into the casto cave. Quickly complete the relevant documents and procedures of the Project in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 under the guidance of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Official Dispatch No. 7619/STNMT-BVMT dated November 24, 2022 and only operate when there are complete documents and relevant procedures as prescribed.
Strictly comply with the decisions on administrative sanctions for violations in the field of minerals and environmental protection of the People's Committee of Quy Hop district, the conclusions and recommendations of the above inspection teams and the provisions of the law on natural resources and environment, and related laws as prescribed. Strictly and fully implement measures to collect and treat wastewater and solid waste in accordance with regulations...".
At the same time, the Provincial People's Committee requests the People's Committee of Quy Hop district to direct the district-level departments and relevant communes to supervise the cleaning of water sources by Thiec Ha An Company Limited (if any); monitor surface water sources in streams and streams in the district to promptly advise people if there are any abnormalities; Urge and supervise the overcoming of shortcomings in the implementation of laws on natural resources and environment and recommendations of the Inspection Teams according to Decision No. 901/QD-BTNMT dated April 5, 2024 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Decision No. 03/QDKT-CAH(HS) dated May 7, 2024 of the Quy Hop District Police for Thiec Ha An Company Limited. Strengthen inspection and supervision of law enforcement at mineral mines in the area; in case of detecting violations (if any), handle them according to authority or recommend competent authorities to handle them according to law provisions.
On the side of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, it will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies to inspect and supervise the implementation of the law on natural resources and the conclusions and recommendations of the Inspection and Examination Teams for Ha An Tin Company Limited to strictly handle violations according to regulations. Review the records and procedures related to the field of natural resources and environment for the project of underground mining and processing the eastern part of Suoi Bac tin mine in Chau Hong and Chau Thanh communes, Quy Hop district of Ha An Tin Company Limited...
The Department of Environmental Protection is the agency directly responsible for inspecting and advising the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to report to the Provincial People's Committee to handle the case of unusual fish deaths in Chau Thanh commune, Quy Hop district.
According to the representative of this unit, the work of handling the unusual fish deaths on Nam Huong stream is still being carried out. Specifically, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Environmental Protection Department will continue to inspect and review the environmental protection work of Thiec Ha An Company Limited to advise the Provincial People's Committee to handle violations according to the provisions of law.
