Writer Nguyen Ngoc.

VietNamNet Bridge – “Comprehensively, I think bauxite mining is not helpful for the development of the Central Highlands,” said writer, social and cultural researcher Nguyen Ngoc in the online discussion on bauxite projects with VietNamNet.

Below is the full content of the discussion on October 27.

VietNamNet: Writer Nguyen Ngoc is one of over 1500 intellectuals who signed the petition to halt bauxite mining projects. Could you tell our readers why you signed the petition?

Writer Nguyen Ngoc: The bauxite projects in the Central Highlands cause many worries – economic, environmental, social, and those related to national security and defence. Particularly, the projects are carried out in a very special region, which is seen as the roof of the Indochina.

This is not the first time we – scientists, cultural experts, social activists – show our concerns and raise our voices over the bauxite projects.

Over two years ago, we sent our opinions about the projects to the Party and the State. This time, the concerns are raised again after the red mud spill in Hungary.

I would like to say that the petition summarized opinions about all aspects of the projects, not only economic or environmental ones. So far, more than 2000 people have signed the petition.

We expect to have such discussions, between the concerned people and those who are involved in the bauxite projects to find the best solutions.

VietNamNet: Mr Nguyen Thanh Liem, what do you think about writer Nguyen Ngoc’s opinion? Could you tell us about the current implementation of the bauxite projects and the opinion of the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Group (Vinacomin), the investor of bauxite projects, about the above-mentioned petition?

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Liem, chief of Vinacomin’s Aluminium and Titanium Department.

Nguyen Thanh Liem, chief of Vinacomin’s Aluminium and Titanium Department: Vinacomin is carrying out two bauxite projects, Tan Rai in Lam Dong province and Nhan Co in Dak Nong province.
 

The Tan Rai bauxite mining complex has the first-phase capacity of 650,000 tons of alumina a year. The construction began in 2008. This plant is scheduled to operate in early 2011.

The Nhan Co alumina project was kicked off in February 2010. The plant is scheduled to begin running in 2012.

At present, the construction of Tan Rai plant has been nearly completed. The test run will start in November 2010. It is scheduled to supply products in the second quarter of 2011. For the Nhan Co project, the contractor is preparing for the construction in the dry season.

Regarding the intellectuals’ petition, we think it is normal because the incident in Hungary is a warning for our group. I think we need to reconsider the bauxite projects more carefully to guarantee positive effects in terms of environment, economics and society.

VietNamNet: At the workshops held in 2008-2009, many scientists doubted the safety and economic effectiveness of bauxite projects. What is your view on this, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son?

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Director of the Red River Energy Company: We presented our viewpoint about the bauxite projects at the first workshops held in the Central Highlands in 2008.

At that time, we said very clearly that three decades ago, Hungarian and former USSR experts made the first research works on bauxite mining in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. They warned that if we mine one ton of bauxite in this region, we will lose one ton of rice in the south central delta. The bauxite projects can have impacts not only on the environment but the whole ecological system.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Director of the Red River Energy Company.

Several years ago, experts realized ecological impacts of bauxite mining and compared the benefit from mining bauxite against the losses caused to agriculture in the central south delta. They advised us to temporarily forget bauxite.

Recently the red mud incident happened in Hungary and this is not the only one incident.

In 2005 a similar incident occurred in Ukraine. The Ukraine President Victor Yushchenko had to directly intervene in the case. He asked relevant agencies to reconsider the mud treatment technology.

My point of view has not changed. I think that the natural environment and  theecological system are endangered if implementing the bauxite projects are implemented in the Central Highlands.

VietNamNet: The Tan Rai bauxite project is being carried out in Lam Dong. This project was evaluated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Mr. Bui Cach Tuyen, as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and the chief of the General Department of Environment, could you tell us your ministry’s opinion about the environmental impacts of the bauxite projects?

Bui Cach Tuyen: The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) was responsible  for coordinating with related agencies to evaluate design of the red-mud reservoirs of Tan Rai and Nhan Co projects.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) assigned a doctor to join the evaluation council which was set up by the MoIT. Our experts have many times contributed opinions to the MoIT about this issue. The MoIT in April issued a document on the initial evaluation of Vinacomin’s red mud reservoirs.

The MoNRE has also joined efforts with local authorities to closely supervise the implementation of environmental solutions of the Tan Rai and Nhan Co projects.

Specifically, we have met with Lam Dong and Dak Nong authorities and assisted these provinces in drafting projects, which include the establishment of two environmental observation centres. Vinacomin pledged to fund their construction.

The MoNRE has set up a supervisory team, which is led by a Vice head of the General Department of Environment. This team has made three surveys and sent its recommendations to the investor of bauxite projects.

The Ministry has also sent working groups to bauxite mining sites in Brazil, Australia and China to learn from their experiences in protecting the environment.

Bui Cach Tuyen, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment

VietNamNet: Many people are worried that in theory, bauxite projects are safe but in the future, under the impacts of climate changes, will they still be safe under strong earthquakes and floods?

Bui Cach Tuyen: Any activity faces risks. So we have mathematical methods of risk assessment, Mining is a very risky industry. It is important to calculate the risk probability and have plans to control it.

The responsibility of relevant agencies for red mud reservoirs has been clearly defined.

According to the Prime Minister’s decision, Vinacomin takes responsibility for designing red mud reservoirs; the MoNRE is responsible for evaluating the report on environmental impacts; Vinacomin and the MoIT are in charge of evaluating technical design and detailed design of the reservoirs.

Nguyen Thanh Liem: The red mud reservoirs are designed by a leading and experienced institute in China. The design must satisfy Vietnam’s standards on solid and toxic waste treatment.

Since Vietnam doesn’t have standards for red mud reservoirs, we have to use China’s standards and refer to those of other countries, especially those of Brazil and Australia.

The design of red mud reservoirs has been also considered and commented on by Vietnamese scientists.

To ensure safety, the red-mud reservoirs are divided into many sections, from 14-16 hectares each, which can contain 600-1.6 million cubic meters of red mud, and meet standards on absorption resistance and flood prevention.

There will be two reservoirs, one operating and  a spare one. If incidents occur for the operating reservoir, the spare one will be used.

The reservoirs are also designed to cope with earthquakes of up to 7 Richter scale.

Moreover, they are located in valleys so it is difficult for mud to spill out.

It means that the risk is very low.