Request to eliminate mineral exploitation areas affecting the habitat of endangered species

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just issued Official Dispatch No. 5212/BNNMT-ĐCKS to the People's Committees of provinces and cities, requesting that localities prioritize eliminating mining areas that affect the habitat of endangered species, protecting the landscape and restoring the environment at mines that have closed or are about to close.

Priority should be given to eliminating mining areas that affect the habitats of endangered species. (Photo: Hoai Nam/Vietnam+)

Previously, consecutively on July 29-31, VietnamPlus Electronic Newspaper published a series of articles "Constructing conservation space: A vital command, responsibility for the future" including 5 articles, reflecting on the activities of blasting, quarrying, cement production and construction material transportation (especially in Kim Bang and Thanh Liem of Ha Nam province, now Ninh Binh province) in recent years that have caused pollution, seriously affecting the lives of thousands of people living around the area.

In addition, blasting activities for stone mining and cement production also have negative impacts on biodiversity, wild animals and plants, especially rare and precious endemic wild species (such as the populations of white-rumped langurs or white-thighed langurs, considered "global treasures" found only in Vietnam, currently among the 25 most endangered species in the world that need to be protected).

According to the dispatch recently signed by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Quy Kien and sent to localities, in the context of a shortage of construction materials supply and the arising impacts on the environment, landscape, and biodiversity from mineral exploitation activities in some localities - issues that have just been reflected by VietnamPlus Electronic Newspaper and are of special concern to public opinion, along with the 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals that has come into effect with many new management requirements, strengthening coordination and enhancing the role of State management in localities is an urgent requirement.

Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment recommends that the People's Committees of provinces and cities soon deploy research organizations and integrate the content of protecting mineral resources, biodiversity, and the environment into provincial planning.

In particular, provinces and cities need to prioritize eliminating mining areas that affect the habitat of endangered species; review planning, balance supply and demand of construction materials, avoid excess, protect landscapes and develop sustainably; strengthen monitoring of actual output, handle fraud and loss of resources.

Specifically, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to urgently direct the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to organize inspection and supervision of all mineral activities and mineral recovery in the area; review and evaluate mineral exploitation and processing projects and mineral deep processing facilities.

In case of failure to ensure safety, environmental pollution, use of outdated technology, or waste of resources, organizations and individuals are required to develop and implement a roadmap for technology improvement and upgrading in order to continue operating.

“In case of non-implementation, it is necessary to consult with competent authorities for consideration and handling according to regulations, including requesting to terminate project activities and revoke the investment registration certificate or investment policy approval document according to regulations of law on investment, law on environmental protection and other relevant laws,” the document clearly stated.

In cases where the mineral exploitation license stipulates the processing location but the processing project or item is not implemented, localities need to clarify the cause and have appropriate handling plans.

In cases beyond their authority, provinces and cities need to compile reports and send them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Construction and the Prime Minister for consideration and direction.

Along with that, localities need to improve the quality of environmental impact assessment, strictly control the obligation to renovate and restore the environment after mining; review and require environmental restoration at mines that have closed or are about to close, focus on reasonable land use planning, and gradually integrate into conservation areas for ecological restoration.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also requested localities to promptly handle issues reported by the press, public concerns, and legal inadequacies related to minerals and the environment (if any) according to regulations.

In addition, to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of State management of geology and minerals, and at the same time ensure the unified and synchronous implementation of the Law on Geology and Minerals from the central to local levels, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with competent agencies to study laws, decrees and circulars in the field of geology and minerals to deploy and guide organizations and individuals to fully exercise their rights and obligations in mineral activities.

The dispatch was also sent to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (for reporting); Government Office; Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, Construction, Industry and Trade, Finance, and Justice (for coordination)./.

According to VNA

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/yeu-cau-loai-bo-cac-khu-vuc-khai-thac-khoang-san-anh-huong-sinh-canh-loai-nguy-cap-257213.htm