A working group of National Assembly and government representatives Friday arrived in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on their field trip to the construction sites of two bauxite mining projects in Lam Dong and Dak Nong.

The field trip aims to inspect the construction and environment protection measures of the controversial projects at the request of Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

Among the officials are Dang Vu Minh and Nghiem Vu Khai, chief and deputy chief of the National Assembly’s Science-Technology and Environment Committee.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bui Cach Tuyen and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Duong Quang, who doubles as board chairman of the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Corporation, are attending the trip.

Senior officials of relevant ministries and agencies, researchers and scientists are among the group.

Bauxite is the most important aluminum ore.

A recent catastrophe triggered by a toxic red sludge that flooded villages in Hungary has set off warnings against mining from Vietnamese experts and media.

Harmful red mud, an indispensable byproduct in the production of alumina, has been a major cause for environmental concern in the country in the last few years.

An alumina plant in Tan Rai is expected to produce 630,000 tons a year.

The country’s other plant, Nhan Co, will churn out 650,000 tons.

Vietnam has the world’s third-largest bauxite reserves, according to the 2009 US Geological Survey.

Source: Tuoi Tre