WATCH CLIP:

People complain that the smoke smells bad.

At the end of November 2024, many households in Nua Ngam commune reported to VietNamNet that for a long time they had to live in an atmosphere polluted by the coke oven of Viet Trung Mineral Joint Stock Company operating in the area.

According to local residents, the company's coal grinding process causes dust and smoke to fly everywhere, covering household items such as beds, cabinets, tables, chairs, etc. with a layer of coal powder.

On November 20, reporters were present in Hop Thanh, Tan Ngam, Pa Ngam 1, Pa Ngam 2 villages... to record images and direct feedback from the people.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung (Hop Thanh village, Nua Ngam commune) said that the coke oven has been operating in the area for more than 10 years, and every time the unit burns it to make coke, it causes serious pollution.

"Every time they operate, the smell of coal and the stench are suffocating and make it difficult to breathe," said Mr. Hung, adding that the smoke from the coke ovens emitted into the residential area smells like tar and waste.

z6050864801357_644c47411464db4a2419b555cbdb21d7.jpg
Coke smelting area of ​​Viet Trung Minerals Joint Stock Company. Photo: Duy Linh

According to local residents, not only households living near the coke smelting area but also many households far away are affected. Mr. Tran Van Manh’s family (Pha Ngam 1 village, Nua Ngam commune) lives over 1km from the coke smelting area but often inhales the smell of coal.

Mr. Manh said: "There were times when the smell of coal was so strong that my family had to stay inside and close the doors, not daring to go out."

Company director says smoke is from "burning wood"

In response to people's complaints, VietNamNet contacted Mr. Bui Van Dung - Director of Viet Trung Minerals Joint Stock Company to get more detailed information.

Mr. Dung said that the company has been operating in the area for nearly 20 years and is always concerned about environmental protection. Regarding people's complaints about dust and smoke, Mr. Dung affirmed that during the coal refining process, only smoke is generated, not dust, the smoke is from burning wood to make coke.

"To make coke, we have to burn firewood. The smoke from the firewood has not been treated by the smoke extraction system, so people have complained," Mr. Dung added.

z6050952007438_a43a4342a44cbdab8de01622faf47767.jpg
The recorded images show that the smoke generated during the company's operations did not escape from the chimney system. Photo: Duy Linh

Inter-sectoral inspection at 7/8, the furnace stopped operating.

Regarding the people's feedback, Mr. Nguyen Tien Cuong, Vice Chairman of Dien Bien District People's Committee confirmed that on November 20, the district established an interdisciplinary team to conduct an inspection at Viet Trung Mineral Joint Stock Company. The inspection team included the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, District Police, and Nua Ngam Commune People's Committee.

When the interdisciplinary team inspected the field, 7/8 coke ovens were not operating, 1 oven had completed the coal smelting process.

In the working minutes, the inspection team requested Viet Trung Mineral Joint Stock Company to implement a number of contents to protect the environment and the lives of surrounding people. Specifically, including: Prepare documents for environmental licensing according to regulations; promptly conduct environmental monitoring in 2024 and the following years to report to the authorities; supplement construction documents of the coke oven according to regulations...

VietNamNet will continue to inform.

Revealing the truth about the 'ghost' farm of the unit providing breeding cows to poor households in Dien Bien

Revealing the truth about the 'ghost' farm of the unit providing breeding cows to poor households in Dien Bien

Following information provided by Dien Bien district (Dien Bien province), VietNamNet reporters searched for the address of the cattle farm of the enterprise supplying breeding cows to poor households and recorded a surprising truth.
Abnormal quality of breeding cows given to poor households in Dien Bien

Abnormal quality of breeding cows given to poor households in Dien Bien

The project of providing breeding cows in Hua Thanh commune, Dien Bien district (Dien Bien province) is causing people to complain about the quality of the cows as they are weak, skinny and lacking vitality.
Revealing 'strange points' in the capacity profile of the unit providing cows to poor households in Dien Bien

Revealing 'strange points' in the capacity profile of the unit providing cows to poor households in Dien Bien

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine of Lao Cai province confirmed that it has never granted a certificate of eligibility for animal husbandry to Dai Thanh Company, the unit that supplies a large number of breeding cows to poor households in Dien Bien province.