Breach of lead-zinc waste reservoir in Bản Nhượng Village, Bản Thi Commune, Chợ Đồn District in Bắc Kạn Province. VNA/VNS Photo

BẮC KAN — An industrial reservoir has burst sending contaminated water into local homes and two streams in Bắc Kạn Province.

Vice Chairman of the Chợ Đồn District People’s Committee in Bắc Kạn Province Đặng Đình Phong, reported on Wednesday that prolonged heavy rain from Typhoon Yagi, along with floodwaters, caused a landslide and breach of the waste reservoir of a local lead-zinc mine’s processing plant.

The No1 waste reservoir of the Chợ Điền processing plant, burst and sent 1,000–1,500 cu.m of water and mud downstream.

The lead-zinc operation is located in Bản Nhượng Village, Bản Thi Commune, Chợ Đồn District and belongs to Thái Nguyên Non-ferrous Metals JSC (Vimico).

This breach saw contaminated water from the reservoir flow into several local households and the Bản Thi and Yên Thịnh streams.

Immediately following the incident, the Bắc Kạn Metals Branch of the Vimico has mobilised local forces and equipment to fix the breach and clean up the spilled waste.

The Chợ Đồn District People’s Committee instructed the Bắc Kạn Metals Brach to urgently gather manpower, equipment and materials to fix the eroded section of the dam and clean up the spilled waste, reinforcing the reservoir to ensure safety.

The committee also urged the People's Committees of Bản Thi and Yên Thịnh communes to work with the company to quickly resolve the incident, notify residents living and farming near the contaminated water flow and take necessary measures to ensure their safety.

Previously, on September 14, the Chợ Đồn District People’s Committee coordinated with the Chiêm Hóa District People’s Committee in Tuyên Quang Province to assess the environmental impact on water in Chiêm Hóa District related to the incident and report the findings to the Bắc Kạn Provincial People’s Committee, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Industry and Trade.

On September 16, the Bắc Kạn Provincial People’s Committee established an investigation team and support group to assess the cause, determine responsibility and propose solutions for the landslide at the Chợ Điền lead-zinc mine.

On the same day, a delegation from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with provincial and district officials from Bắc Kạn and Tuyên Quang, as well as representatives from Vimico, conducted an on-site inspection of the No1 waste reservoir landslide at the Chợ Điền lead-zinc mine.

Water and waste samples were collected from rivers and streams in Chợ Đồn and Chiêm Hóa districts to assess the environmental impact.

The results of the tests are pending. — VNS