VietNamNet Bridge – Authorities have collected huge amounts of environmental protection fees but the sufferings of residents in mining areas have remained unabated, heard a conference in Hanoi last week on mineral mining and rights of local communities.

Illustrative image -- File photo

Nguyen Van Tuan, a resident in Trai Cau Town, Dong Hy District, Thai Nguyen Province, said many households have been unable to sell their houses due to serious environmental pollution. “Almost all people want to leave the area as soon as possible,” he noted.

Iron ore exploitation has seriously affected the lives of local people since trucks going through their neighborhood often cause dust and air pollution. Residents often ask firms to water the roads but this causes sludge and thus hinders traffic, especially in rainy season.

“Iron ore exploitation has made our lives miserable over the past five years but nobody has taken responsibility,” Tuan said.

Nguyen Trung Tam, another resident in the town, said 80 families in his neighborhood were told to leave to make room for an iron mining project in 2006 but they received compensation recently. Therefore, for a long period, they were disallowed to carry out any construction or farming projects.

However, after they moved to the resettlement area, they have no farmland. Young people are employed to work at the mine but those aged 35 or older find it hard to land a job.

Vu Dang Khoa, chairman of Trai Cau Town, said iron ore mining caused 200 homes to subside in 2010. Many families are still living in dangerous places.

On the other hand, the town does not get a small fraction of natural resource tax revenues in Dong Hy District to deal with the consequences of iron mining, he said.

According to Government’s Decree 74/2011/ND-CP on collection of environmental protection fees, local authorities can keep 100% of the tax revenues to deal with environmental issues triggered by mineral mining.

Thai Nguyen Province has decided to transfer all fee revenues to districts and 80% of the sums can be allocated to communes and towns but should not exceed VND500 million per year. However, Trai Cau Town has yet to get any pennies from Dong Hy District.

According to the 2010 Mineral Law, the Government will use tax and fee revenues from mining activities to support areas where mines are located.

Organizations and individuals involved in mining activities must give financial aid to local authorities to construct and upgrade infrastructure and implement social welfare projects.

SGT