Concerns about dust pollution in mineral processing and transportation.

(Baonghean) - Environmental pollution caused by dust from mining, processing, and transporting minerals in some districts is causing public concern. This problem has been reported, but there are no signs of improvement due to lax management at various levels.

Trucks carrying stone materials are causing dust on the road through Nam Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district). Photo by Hai An.

The current situation in Yen Thanh...

In the Len Voi area, located in Trung Thanh and Nam Thanh communes (Yen Thanh district), some stone quarrying units have not yet complied with environmental pollution control regulations. A mine manager from Tuong Nguyen Co., Ltd. (in Hamlet 1, Trung Thanh commune) admitted that due to financial difficulties, the company has not been able to invest in a water system at the stone processing area to treat stone dust.

Many households along the more than 3-kilometer-long road connecting the quarries through Trung Thanh and Nam Thanh communes have to endure dust from trucks carrying construction stone. Observations at the Tuong Nguyen Co., Ltd. quarry show trucks loaded with stones piled high to the ceiling of the cab driving onto the inter-communal road, kicking up thick clouds of dust wherever they go. Besides causing dust, the heavy trucks also damage the road, leaving it uneven and bumpy.

Ms. Nguyen Thi T - a resident of Nam Thanh commune - shared: "Trucks carrying stones spill stones onto the road, and my house is constantly covered in dust. Even though I've closed all the doors and sealed the gaps with plastic sheeting, the dust still gets inside. It's dusty when it's sunny, and muddy when it rains..."

Mr. Nguyen Duc Thien, Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Yen Thanh District, said: Yen Thanh District has 10 active stone quarries, but the environmental compliance of these businesses is still limited. Some have not yet treated the stone dust at the crushing plant. Particularly in the Len Voi area, there are 4 stone quarries where businesses have not coordinated with the local authorities in ensuring environmental protection, nor have they allocated funds to rent tanker trucks to water the roads leading to the quarries through residential areas to minimize stone dust and road dust from trucks transporting stone.

In the quarry area of ​​Dong Thanh commune, there is still a situation where businesses have dust treatment systems but rarely operate them, causing dust pollution during stone crushing. To minimize environmental pollution from stone mining, processing, and transportation, the district has directed the People's Committee of Dong Thanh commune to require businesses to allocate funds for daily watering and dust treatment along the roads used by stone transport vehicles. The Yen Thanh District People's Committee will soon establish an inter-agency team to inspect and address labor safety and environmental issues in stone mining...

Overloaded vehicles cause dust pollution on the road to Chau Hong, Quy Hop town. Photo: Hai An.

And the "problematic issues" in Quy Hop.

In Quy Hop district, there is currently a significant problem of dust pollution caused by trucks transporting minerals on many roads; a prime example is the road leading to Chau Quang Industrial Park, where in addition to causing dust, the trucks also severely damage the road surface.

Mr. Vi Van Sao, head of Banh village in Chau Quang commune, expressed his frustration: "In the Chau Quang Industrial Zone, some businesses keep dumping crushed stone powder along the roadside, causing water and air pollution. Then, large trucks carrying white stone rumble along day and night. Banh village has petitioned the commune to find solutions to prevent overloaded trucks from speeding, damaging roads, and causing dust, but the issue remains unresolved."

Mr. Tran Van Tuan, Chairman of the Chau Quang Commune People's Committee, added: The Chau Quang commune industrial zone currently has more than 20 white stone processing businesses and 3 active quarries. All mineral transport vehicles travel on this road, causing environmental pollution. Some businesses also discharge waste along the roadside during stone cutting, causing dust. The commune has requested the district to take measures to address environmental issues and prevent overloaded vehicles, but the problem has not yet been resolved.

The road connecting National Highway 48C to Chau Loc and Lien Hop communes, approximately 14 km long, is also in the same condition. The road is heavily used by large trucks, causing serious damage, noise, and dust pollution. There are over 10 active quarries in the two communes. Most of the trucks transporting stone from the quarries to the factories via this road have not had their truck beds modified. These overloaded trucks are damaging the road, causing great frustration among residents who have petitioned the commune and district People's Committees. However, the situation has not improved.

Mr. Vi Thanh Tuong, Vice Chairman of the Quy Hop District People's Committee, stated: Currently, Quy Hop district has over 120 businesses operating in the field of mineral exploitation and processing, with approximately 70 mineral mines still under license. The district is directing the District Police to strengthen inspection and enforcement against overloaded vehicles. Businesses are required to commit to investing in treatment systems to minimize environmental impact.

"Parishioners in Nghe An expose the moral decay of Father Nguyen Dinh Thuc."

Hai An