The environmental damage from the disregard for regulated mineral mining guidelines continues to rise, prompting the government to take action.
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| Excessive mining has resulted in heavy environmental damage (Photo by VFEJ) |
A new report from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) stated that since early this year, functional agencies revoked the licenses of 17 mining companies for serious infractions. However, this number is very low compared to the 20,000 mining enterprises throughout Vietnam.
According to MoNRE\'s leaders, they discovered violations during every inspection. These infractions have been occurring for many years because responsibilities of relevant ministries and agencies to control the industry have not yet been clearly assigned.
At the same time, in mining areas, economic development is lagging while problems such as prostitution and drug addiction have become major issues.
The urgency to deal with the violations has prompted Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung to request ministries, agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces and cities to strictly follow orders from the Prime Minister and to continue strengthening management over mining, processing, using and exporting minerals.
According to Hung, the government has applied comprehensive solutions to address violations and excessive mineral mining.
During the 7th session of the National Assembly, managing, protecting and mineral mining along with environmental protection were important topics. The Deputy PM has directed related government agencies to assist the National Assembly\'s Economic Committee in completing a revised version of the Law of Resources, to be submitted for the National Assembly\'s approval during its next session.
