Ha Noi tightens up on miners

HÀ NỘI – The search for and exploitation of minerals in the Ha Noi region will be tightened, the municipal People's Committee has told departments and districts peoples' committees.

The move follows a Politburo resolution last year on mineral-exploitation strategy and the mining industry up to the year 2020.

Every year, the Ha Noi people's committee asks committees at district level to inspect any mineral exploitation activities in their areas and crack down on sand mining along the Hong (Red) River.

It said Illegal operators must be fined and reported to tahe city committee.

The city's Department of Natural Resources and Environment co-operate with relevant branches to inspect mineral licences and assess environment impacts. Enterprises which violate repeatedly or seriously might have their licences cancelled.

On the other hand, the municipal committee has also urged the department to create favourable condition for businesses seeking different types of ore by simplifying procedures and shorten the time for issuing licences.

Elsewhere in the central region, Nghe An Provincial People's Committee also requires people's committees at district level to enhance inspections for mining and environmental violations.

In the first six months of this year, the province's planning and investment department granted licences to 12 mineral projects. Yet, recent inspection revealed that operations at 14 mines failed to meet laws on environmental protection.

The provincial people's committee closed two of the mines and ordered one company, the Construction and Assembling Company No 99, to repair roads from the stone pit it is exploiting. – VNS