Although Bong Mieu gold mine (Tam Lanh commune, Phu Ninh district, Quang Nam ) has been ordered to close, illegal mining is still taking place. As a result, the environment is poisoned, a series of rivers downstream are "suffocated" by chemical contamination, seriously affecting people's livelihoods and health.
Located in the upstream area of Phu Ninh district, Bong Mieu gold mine used to be the largest mineral exploitation site in the Central region. After the province had a project to close the mine, it was thought that the environment here would be restored; but in reality, this area is still a "hot spot" for illegal gold mining. The most obvious consequences are the destruction of the terrain, toxic chemicals discharged directly into the environment through streams. Because of that, the rivers downstream such as Tam Lanh River, Que Phuong River, Tien River are seriously polluted, the water is murky, and smells of chemicals...
Pointing to the Que Phuong River, which is turning a muddy yellow, Mr. Tran Thanh Nhat (53 years old, residing in Tien Lap Commune, Tien Phuoc District) said: “In the past, fish swam all over the river, but now it is difficult to find one. There have been cases of buffaloes and cows dying from drinking river water. People live in fear every day because their source of water for daily use is seriously threatened.”
Gold separation chemicals are released directly into the environment, polluting rivers. |
According to local people, this situation has been going on for many years but there is still no radical solution. The media has reported it many times, but the "gold thieves" still operate openly. Whether the gold mine has been ordered to close or not, illegal mining still takes place.
The three polluted rivers are currently the main source of domestic water for thousands of households. The Tien River is the most severely affected river, currently the input water source of the Tien Ky Water Plant, which supplies up to 15,000m3 of water per day to the people of Tien Ky town and the communes of Tien Lap, Tien Tho, Tien Loc, and Tien Chau. Therefore, the water is sometimes cloudy yellow and has an unpleasant odor.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Cam, Chairwoman of Tien Lap Commune People's Committee, confirmed that water pollution has existed for too long, affecting people's lives, activities and health. The cause is illegal gold mining activities in Tam Lanh area.
Faced with increasingly serious pollution, the Tien Phuoc district government has repeatedly sent petitions and reports to the Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee for direction on how to handle the situation. According to the latest report, the district People's Committee confirmed that the Que Phuong and Tien rivers flowing through the area have been seriously polluted due to illegal mining activities, especially gold in the Bong Mieu area (upstream of the Que Phuong River).
Illegal gold mining in Bong Mieu is still happening. (Photo in article: Cong Huy) |
Mr. Phan Thai Binh , Permanent Vice Chairman of Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee, recently signed a document requesting relevant units to implement drastic measures. In particular, assigning Phu Ninh District People's Committee, Department of Agriculture and Environment, Provincial Police and relevant sectors to urgently inspect and thoroughly handle illegal mineral exploitation and processing activities in Bong Mieu.
The provincial People’s Committee requested strict handling of acts of polluting waste discharge at the headwaters of Que Phuong and Tien rivers, which are environmental “hot spots”. The provincial police were directed to investigate and crack down on illegal gold miners, ensuring deterrence and restoring order to mineral exploitation in the area.
Tien Phuoc and Phu Ninh districts coordinate with each other in handling illegal gold mining and processing activities in the area bordering Tam Lanh commune, and must monitor and promptly report to competent authorities to direct the handling of acts causing environmental pollution in the area.
Many people believe that restoring rivers that have been destroyed by toxic chemicals is a long-term process, so the most urgent thing right now is to immediately stop illegal gold mining activities and stop the source of pollution. Quang Nam needs strong sanctions and synchronous enforcement, not just stopping at directives or limited-time raids.
Cong Huy
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/quang-nam-yeu-cau-xu-ly-nghiem-hanh-vi-xa-thai-gay-o-nhiem-dau-nguon-song-post545736.html
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