Frustration over dust pollution in mineral processing and transportation

(Baonghean) - Environmental pollution caused by dust in the exploitation, processing and transportation of minerals in some districts is causing public outrage. This problem has been reported but there are no signs of improvement due to laxity at all levels of management.

Trucks carrying stone materials cause dust on the road through Nam Thanh commune (Yen Thanh). Photo: Hai An

The situation in Yen Thanh...

At Voi Slope area in Trung Thanh and Nam Thanh communes (Yen Thanh), some stone mining units have not complied with environmental pollution treatment. A mine operator of Tuong Nguyen Company Limited (in Hamlet 1, Trung Thanh commune) admitted that due to financial difficulties, this enterprise has not been able to invest in a water system in the stone processing area to treat stone dust.

Many households along the road connecting the quarries through Trung Thanh and Nam Thanh communes, a length of more than 3 km, have to endure dust from construction stone trucks. Observing at the quarry of Tuong Nguyen Company, we saw trucks carrying stones piled as high as the ceiling of the cabin driving onto the inter-commune road, with thick smoke and dust billowing wherever they went. Not only causing dust, heavy trucks also cause damage to the road.

Ms. Nguyen Thi T - a resident of Nam Thanh commune shared: The rock-carrying trucks drop rocks on the road, my house has to endure the dust all day long; even though I close the doors and cover the gaps with nylon, the dust still gets into the house. It's dusty on sunny days, and muddy on rainy days...

Mr. Nguyen Duc Thien - Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Yen Thanh district said: Yen Thanh district has 10 operating quarries, but the environmental compliance of enterprises is still limited. Some have not treated stone dust right at the grinding rig. Especially in the Voi area, there are 4 quarries, enterprises have not coordinated with local authorities in ensuring the environment as well as allocating funds to rent tankers to water the road leading to the quarry through residential areas to minimize stone dust and road dust when trucks transporting stone circulate.

In the Dong Thanh commune quarry area, there are still enterprises with stone dust treatment systems but few activities that cause dust when crushing stones. To minimize environmental pollution caused by stone mining, processing and transportation activities, the district has directed the Dong Thanh commune People's Committee to request enterprises to allocate funds to water and treat dust on the roads where stone trucks pass every day. In the near future, the Yen Thanh district People's Committee will organize an interdisciplinary team to inspect the handling of labor safety and the environment in stone mining...

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

And the "pain points" in Quy Hop

In Quy Hop district, mineral transport vehicles are currently causing dust on many roads; a typical example is the road leading to Chau Quang Industrial Park, where in addition to causing dust, mineral transport vehicles are also destroying the road.

Mr. Vi Van Sao - Head of Banh village, Chau Quang commune, indignantly said: In Chau Quang Industrial Park, some enterprises keep dumping stone powder on the roadside, causing water and air pollution. Then large trucks carrying white stone run noisily day and night. Ban Bang has petitioned the commune to have a solution to prevent overloaded trucks, speeding, damaging the road, and causing dust, but it has not been resolved.

Mr. Tran Van Tuan - Chairman of Chau Quang Commune People's Committee added: Chau Quang Commune Industrial Park currently has more than 20 white stone processing enterprises, with 3 active stone mines. All mineral transport vehicles travel on this road, causing environmental pollution. Some enterprises in the process of cutting stones discharge waste along the roadside, also causing dust. The commune has proposed to the district to take measures to handle the environment as well as prevent overloaded vehicles, but the measures have not been completely resolved.

The route connecting National Highway 48C to Chau Loc and Lien Hop communes, about 14 km long, is also in the same situation. The road is full of "tiger" vehicles, causing serious deterioration, causing 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 production workshop passing through this route have not had their "boxes cut". The overloaded "tiger" vehicles have damaged the road, and the people are very upset and have petitioned the People's Committee of the commune and district. However, this situation has not improved.

Mr. Vi Thanh Tuong - Vice Chairman of Quy Hop District People's Committee shared: Quy Hop District currently has over 120 enterprises operating in the field of mineral exploitation and processing, of which there are over 70 licensed mineral mines. The district is directing the district police to strengthen the inspection and handling of overloaded vehicles. Enterprises are required to commit to investing in treatment systems to minimize environmental impact.

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