27 projects and factories on the environmental pollution list

The Vinh Tan 2 thermal power plant belongs to the projects being likely to cause environmental pollution. Photo from internet.

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, the Minister of Industry and Trade issued Directive 11/CT-BCT on strengthening the environmental protection in the branch of Industry and Trade, which defined the responsibilities and obligations for each unit of the branch. In particular, this directive also published the list of the projects and the plants which are considered likely to cause environmental pollution.

Accordingly, 27 projects and plants announced by the MOIT are likely to cause environmental pollution or have existences in the observance of law on environmental protection.

Specifically, Electricity of Vietnam Group has 8 factories and projects: the Thai Binh 1 Thermal Power Plants, Vinh Tan 2, Vinh Tan 4, Vinh Tan 4 Expansion, Duyen Hai 1, Duyen Hai 3, Duyen Hai 3 Expansion; the Quang Ninh Thermal Power Joint Stock Company.

Vietnam Oil and Gas Group has 6 projects and factories: the Vung Ang 1 Thermal Power Plant– the Ha Tinh Petroleum Electronic Power Company, the Long Phu 1 Thermal Power plant, the Thai Binh 2 Thermal Power Plant, the Song Hau 1 Thermal Power plant, the Nghi Son Oil Refinery and Chemistry Union, the Ca Mau gas processing plant project.

Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industry Group includes 4 projects: the Aluminum Project Nhan Co - Dak Nong, the Lam Dong Aluminum Company, the Thach Khe iron mine project and the Sin Quyen copper mining and processing project.

The Vietnam Chemical Group has 5 projects and plants: the DAP 1Company, the DAP 2Company, the Lam Thao Super Phosphate and Chemical Joint Stock Company, the phosphorus manufacturing and chemical plants belonging to the Tang Loong industrial Zone, Lao Cai and the Ninh Binh fertilizer company.

The Vietnam Textile and Garment Group has two projects: the Pho Noi VINATEX textile industrial zone, the Viet Thang Garment Corporation.

The two remaining large enterprises are the Vietnam Steel Corporation, and the Vietnam Paper Corporation, each enterprise has one project, the Thai Nguyen iron and steel Joint Stock Corporation, and the Bai Bang Paper Factory, respectively.

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh said that environmental issues were too urgent and needed to be acted on immediately, because Mother Nature was angry and no one was allowed to waiver.

Therefore, he requested the Safety Technique and Industrial Environment Bureau to report to the Ministry’s leaders on the basis of monitoring, urging and inspection and proposing on projects being likely to cause environmental pollution or existing problems of the State's law and policy observance on environmental protection which need special supervision and absolute and determined handle directions of the Ministry’s leaders.

The general departments, departments and bureaus of the Ministry in collaboration with the Safety Technique and Industrial Environment Bureau or the environmental specialized management agencies of Government will review and assess production technology in the fields of thermal power generation, chemical, mineral mining and processing, textiles to coordinate the construction and completion of the industrial regulations, and standards to ensure sustainable development requirements.

The Groups, Corporations and enterprises refusing resolutely the investment projects with potential technology risks affecting the environment, must innovate and improve gradually technology for the current plants to reduce emissions and improve the environment.

Based on the requirements and investment, production and business tasks of units and on the basis of the above special project list, enterprises were to arrange examination, evaluation, and report about surmounting and handling shortcomings and problems in environmental protection thoroughly in the period 2016-2017.

Particularly with the thermal coal project investors, Mr. Tran Tuan Anh required: Developing and implementing the elimination process of plant slag and ash, required to ensure no ash emissions into the environment; completing negotiations and signing ash consumption contracts of the thermal power plants expeditiously, especially, the Duyen Hai 1 Thermal Power Plant, Vinh Tan 2, Vung Ang in 2016.

Besides, they should improve automatic monitoring systems of emission parameters for the thermal power plants of Vinh Tan and Duyen Hai Power Centers, connected to the local function units as prescribed in the quarter forth of 2016; check emission levels, and implement the necessary solutions to meet the National Technical Regulation on thermoelectric industrial emissions (QCVN 22:2009/BTNMT), and report the implementation plan to the Ministry of Industry and Trade in May 12-2016.