Tan Ky: All traditional brick and tile kilns have ceased operation.

According to the government's roadmap, by December 31, 2017, all manual brick and tile kilns nationwide must cease operation.

In Tan Ky district, there are 172 brick and tile kilns, including 151 traditional kilns, 18 kilns converted to exhaust gas treatment technology, and 3 continuous vertical traditional kilns. Of the 151 traditional kilns in Tan Ky, the highest concentration is in Nghia Hoan commune with 137 kilns.

All traditional brick and tile kilns in Nghia Hoan commune, Tan Ky district, ceased operations on December 31, 2017. Photo: Xuan Hoang

According to a report from the District Department of Industry and Trade, as of December 31, 2017, Tan Ky district had completely eliminated 5 manual brick and tile kilns in Tan Long commune, and the remaining 149 kilns were forcibly shut down.

According to our observations, all brick and tile kilns in Nghia Hoan commune in particular, and Tan Ky district in general, have currently ceased production of bricks and kiln firing in accordance with the government's policy.

Tan Ky district has a total of 169 manual brick and tile kilns that must cease operations since December 31, 2017. Photo: Xuan Hoang

However, investigations have revealed that, in reality, there are still over 6 million unbaked roof tiles remaining in the traditional kilns of Tan Ky district, concentrated in Nghia Hoan commune.

The households involved in production have requested that the Cua - Nghia Hoan Tile-Making Village Production and Service Cooperative find a solution for the remaining raw tiles and the extracted clay.

Mr. Hoang Duy Luong, a brick kiln owner, said: "We fully comply with the State's policy on eliminating manual brick and tile kilns. By December 31, 2017, all manual brick and tile kilns in Nghia Hoan commune had ceased operation. However, currently, most kilns still have about 35,000 unfired raw tiles. The reason is that these tiles were made on December 20, 2017, but due to heavy rain afterwards, they did not dry in time to be put into the kiln before December 31, 2017. The people hope that the State will create conditions for firing all the remaining raw tiles, after which they will commit to completely eliminating these manual brick and tile kilns."

Currently, there are over 6 million unbaked roof tiles remaining in Nghia Hoan commune. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Mr. Vi Van Quang, Head of the Economic and Infrastructure Department of Tan Ky District, said: The District People's Committee has implemented many solutions to eliminate manual brick and tile kilns in the district. These include a document requiring owners of manual and improved manual brick and tile production facilities to cease production of raw bricks and tiles before December 22, 2017, and to close down operations before December 31, 2017. Currently, owners of manual brick and tile kilns in the district have stopped operating in accordance with the State's policy.

On December 27, 2017, the Tan Ky District People's Committee received a proposal from the Cua Nghia Hoan Brick and Tile Production and Service Cooperative requesting an extension of brick and tile production in Nghia Hoan commune. However, the District People's Committee resolutely handled the matter in accordance with State regulations, requiring the owners of manual brick and tile kilns to cease operations.