QUẢNG NINH — Quảng Ninh Province plans to close down all traditional lime kilns by 2018, Vũ Văn Diện, deputy chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said.

Local authorities must draw up detailed plans to halt the operation of traditional lime kilns, he said, adding that such kilns will have to shift to producing something else.

He urged the local authorities to keep a check on the transportation and use of limestones and coal, and hand out strict punishments to violators. Authorities must regularly supervise land use and environment and traffic violations related to the transportation and consumption of limestones, Diện said.

A majority of the local traditional lime kilns are self-funded and don’t follow any design or planning standards nor have a construction licence, as a result of which it is very difficult to control material sources, according to online newspaper vietnamplus.

Lime kilns located near residential areas release dust and other pollutants, affecting local lives.

Currently, there are 64 traditional lime kilns in the province, 58 of which are in Hạ Long City, and Đông Triều, Uông Bí and Quảng Yên districts. On average, the capacity of each kiln is 3,000 tonnes/year. Of the 58 kilns, only two belong to enterprises; all others are run by households. In October 2015, one mechanised lime kiln began operations in Hoành Bồ District.

Representatives of the four districts where traditional lime kilns are located said organisations and individuals have been informed of the plan to shut down lime kilns and have been asked to shift to other productions. Officials are making suggestions to help workers find new jobs.

The Ministry of Construction wants to shut down all traditional lime kilns nationwide by 2020, to avoid incidents of kiln collapse and labour accidents. — VNS