BÌNH THUẬN — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Trần Hồng Hà has suspended titanium mining operations, after an embankment was breached surrounding waste reservoirs at Hàm Thuận Nam District’s Thuận Quý Commune.

The mine is operated by by Tân Quang Cường Trading Co. Ltd in in the central province of Bình Thuận.

Hà further requested the General department of Geology and Mineral of Việt Nam to coordinate with the Environment Administration to determine the cause, as well as solutions to problems caused by the spill of waste into the environment.

If the company was found to have allowed violations or improperly managed waste control, it would be subject to having its mining licences withdrawn, in accordance with government regulations, Hà said.

Further, the General department of Geology and Mineral of Việt Nam has asked the southern department for Control of Mining activities to work with the southern environment department and Bình Thuận Province’s natural resource and environment department to identify the cause, as well as whether regulations were followed in mining operations and in protecting the surrounding environment at Nhum Stream titanium mine.

These agencies were expected to submit a report to the General Department of Geology and Mineral of Việt Nam before June 20.

Yesterday morning, hundreds of cubic metres of water and sand spilled out onto the street, along with spillovers at tourists sites, after the nearly 3,000 sq.m wide embankment was partially breached.

The incident has affected the Hieu Nam Tourist Complex and local households, due to the thick sludge which flowed into the area.

Also, pollution was said to have reached Thuận Quý beach, causing sea waters to turn red. — VNS