Over 60 households under the foot of Hong Linh Mountain in village 4, Xuan Linh commune in Ha Tinh province are living under the threat of dusts and mine blasts.
Most houses shut their doors tight to keep out the dust which “occurs from dawn to dusk”.
Incessant wind here carries with it dust from rock mines lying on both sides of the mountain.
Hien, a local, said, “From 11am to 17pm everyday, they blast dynamites. After each explosion, dust envelops the village. That is when trucks loaded with rocks travel across, churning up dust even more. Then dust from rock grinders that operate all night. Dust covers every where from tables to chairs.”
“When dynamite is blown, try covering your ears”, a local official provided some tips.
“At midday they blow up half a ton of dynamites. In the afternoon, a similar amount is blasted”, added Tran Van Son, deputy head of a local forest protection committee.
This dusty village boasts 21 rock mines that have been under exploitation since 2005. Two mine explosions in particular have claimed three lives.
Locals keep petitioning authorities in vain as the local government has licensed the mining.
