A stream in Dak Nong Province has been severely polluted after an alkaline spill accident at an alumina plant.
A discharge pipe at Nhan Co Plant
On July 28, Ngo Xuan Loc, head of the administrative office of Dak Nong Province People's Committee said after testing water samples, they confirmed that that Dak Dao Stream had been polluted by alkaline substances from Nhan Co alumina plant. Loc said it was unclear whether alkaline had contaminated any other water sources but they had the situation under control.
At 8.15am on July 23, the employees heard strange noises coming from where alkaline substances are stored. They discovered that part of the pump had broken so a huge amount of alkaline substance had spilled out.
Thanks to quick actions, they were able to prevent more alkaline from leaking out after four minutes. It was reported that 9.58 cubic metres of alkaline already spilled out covered 600 square metres before the incident was put under control. Unluckily, a small amount had got into the sewerage which leads to Dak Dao Stream.
The polluted water killed shrimp and fish immediately. According to the locals, they became itchy and began to have a burning sensation and then bumps appeared on their skin after walking through the stream. At many sections, the water had turned black and greasy.
Children in Nhan Co Commune showed bumps which appeared on their skin after walking through the stream.
Vinacomin invested in the Nhan Co alumina plant which started its trial operation in the first quarter. The plant is expected to produce 150,000 tonnes annually by 2016 and 300,000 tonnes by next year. It is expected to have a 450,000-tonne annual capacity by early 2019.
Ho Uy Liem, former deputy chairman of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, expressed fears about the construction. "The amount of alkaline during the trial period is small and yet the pump broke. What'll happened if the amount is increased?" he said. "This is extremely dangerous because storm season has come and water, rain can carry the substance everywhere."
He went on to say that the Highlands region was already facing severe environmental hazards from the red mud spill and bauxite pipe crack at the Tan Rai bauxite complex and now Nhan Co Plant.
