Coal plant to be relocated from world heritage area

QUANG NINH — Steps are being taken to shift a polluting coal plant in the centre of Ha Long City to a new site seven kilometres away.

The municipal People's Committee labelled the move as "urgent" because it was one of the enterprises that conflicted with the city's tourism image.

They pointed out that the plant was in a world natural heritage area, Ha Long Bay. However, it is not the only industry being viewed with concern.

The committee was told that the bay was surrounded by factories producing cement, thermal power, coal mining and crushed limestone and rock.

It announced on Thursday that the Hon Gai Coal Preparation Company's Nam Cau Trang Plant in Ha Long City would be relocated to Suoi Hai mining area in Ha Khanh Ward.

The move aims to reduce environmental pollution and other impacts of coal mining and production on the city's tourism development.

The new location is closer to mining areas and coal consumers including Quang Ninh Thermal Power Plant and Lang Khanh Port, which is used to transport coal.

At the meeting, the Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group said it would invest in advanced technology to minimise the impacts of coal mining, transport and production on the surrounding environment.

The new plant, which can produce four million tonnes of coal a year, occupy an area of nearly 39ha, including 7.4ha for a green belt. — VNS